VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday assured that his government will allot five acres of land in Visakhapatnam when World Badminton Champion PV Sindhu opined that it would be good if there was a badminton academy to train girls and encourage sportspersons. If the proposal materializes, it would be first of its kind badminton academy to come up in the State post bifurcation.
Sindhu, along with her parents PV Ramana and P Vijaya, accompanied by Minister for Sports Muttamsetty Srinivas Rao, sports organizations’ representative Chamundeswarinath, Official Language Academy chairman Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad and Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) officials called on the Chief Minister.
It was her first meeting with the CM after winning the prestigious World Championship last month. Congratulating the shuttler on her achievement, the Chief Minister felicitated her with a shawl and a memento. On the occasion, she showed him the gold medal she won in the Badminton World Championship.
Later, speaking to media persons, Sindhu said the Chief Minister congratulated her and asked her to do well in the future to bring more laurels to the State. “He promised to provide five acres of land and any other support I need,” she said. Asked about her nomination for Padmabhushan, she expressed her happiness. “It is not confirmed yet. If I get the honour, It would definitely be a proud movement for me,” she said.
Dream big, achieve big, Sindhu exhorts girls
Minister for Sports M Srinivasa Rao said they were happy that Telugu girl Sindhu scaled new heights. “We all wish her to do well and win the gold medal in the Olympics. On our part, we will extend every possible support to her. When she expressed her opinion about the badminton academy to encourage girls to train in the badminton, the Chief Minister responded positively and asked us to do the needful,” he said.
When the ace shuttler later met Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan at Raj Bhavan, he congratulated her on her achievements and wished her best of luck in her future endeavours.
Later in the evening, she was felicitated by the State government at a function organised by SAAP at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Sports appreciated the parents of Sindhu for encouraging her. “We are very proud that she belongs to Telugu State. It is not just Telugu people, the entire nation wants her to win every match and win gold in the coming Olympics.
We are happy that she wanted to start an academy in the State and train many more girls to become successful sportspersons like her. We would also like to see her receiving Dronacharya award,” he said. Minister for Agriculture Kurasala Kannababu said that every girl in the State is very proud of Sindhu’s achievements and drawing inspiration from her. Sindhu thanked the State government for extending its support to fulfil her dreams and she also gave a call to the girls present in the auditorium to dream big and achieve big.