Agencies
Vijayawada, August 23: A day after being felicitated by Telangana government, Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu was accorded Tuesday a rousing welcome by the Andhra Pradesh government for her stupendous performance in winning the women’s badminton singles silver at the just-concluded Rio Games.
A huge crowd lined up the streets here to greet Sindhu as she along with her coach Pullela Gopichand embarked on another open-top-motorcade from Gannavaram Airport to the Indira Gandhi Stadium.
Dressed in white top and jeans, Sindhu was seen waving to her fans with the silver medal dangling around her neck, while Gopichand waved the Tricolour, amidst drum beats and cheers from local people.
BAI secretary (events), K Ch Punnaiah Chowdary, who is also the CEO of Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association, Sindhu’s father PV Ramana, who is a former vollyball player, were among others who were atop the motorcade.
Later, Sindhu and Gopichand was felicitated at the stadium and the young Indian shutter was also seen playing badminton with Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu on the dais for a few moments. Hundreds of people including students cheered the duo.
Keeping all the protocol aside, Naidu came to Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium to personally felicitate Sindhu and her coach Pullela Gopichand.
Speaking on the occasion, Naidu lavished praise on the shuttler and her coach, and said that she gave hope to India when there was concern that the country may draw a blank in medals tally.
Sindhu on her part stated that she would try and bring laurels for the country in future also. “In any field of sports you can’t promise anything,” the shuttler told reporters. “But I will strive to make India proud in future also. Frankly speaking, these type of programmes make me feel a bit embarrassed. I would rather stay alone and train,” she added.