Mumbai: In an announcement made today, the Maharashtra Badminton Association will felicitate the silver girl of Indian Badminton on September 6 along with her champion coach Pullela Gopichand. In what would be her first visit to Mumbai post Rio Olympics, Sindhu and Gopi will be welcomed by the Maharashtra Badminton Association for safeguarding India’s pride at Rio Olympics 2016. Sindhu & Gopi will be felicitated by Mr. Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Mr. Arun Lakhani, President, Maharashtra Badminton Association.
Apart from her bravado at Rio Olympics, Sindhu has won two bronze medals at World Championships in the past. Though she lost to World Champion Shuttler Carolina Marin in the Gold Medal match, she became the first Indian shuttler in Indian history to win a Silver at the Olympics. Against all odds, P.V. Sindhu made it to the finals of the Women’s Singles.
Speaking about the felicitation ceremony, the President of the Maharashtra Association, Mr. Arun Lakhani said, “We are delighted to host P.V. Sindhu in Maharashtra since her arrival from Brazil. On behalf of the entire Badminton fraternity, I would like to congratulate her etching herself in the history of Indian Badminton.”
Further he spoke,” I am certain her feat will inspire several youngsters to take up Badminton professionally. I would also like to congratulate and thank her coach, Pulela Gopichand for always being there for any young shuttler who is looking for guidance and help. His contribution to the sport cannot go unnoticed.”
Lakhani took over the Maharashtra Badminton Association in the October last year and has been said to have worked onto transforming the Maharashtra Badminton since then. There has been aggressive work towards putting together a robust infrastructure and grassroots development programs and local tournaments to identify and hone young shuttlers to make them stand at the world platform. This felicitation can be seen as a inspirational platform with the star player and role model of Badminton closer to the aspiring badminton players from Maharashtra.