HYDERABAD: PV Sindhu, the two-time World championship bronze medallist, became the first Indian woman player to clinch a silver in the Olympics and fifth woman player from India to win a medal in the quadrennial games.
Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu arrived in Hyderabad this morning from Brazil to a rousing state reception accorded by the Telangana and Hyderabad governments.Sindhu’s was given a grand welcome at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad.
Amid scenes of jubilation and loud cheers from scores of people, Sindhu, accompanied by coach Pullela Gopichand, was greeted by her parents — P V Ramana and P Vijaya – besides Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali, and some ministers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Rio Olympics silver-medalist PV Sindhu’s flight has landed at Hyderabad airport, to arrive shortly pic.twitter.com/j9cj5tbDWf
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2016
Later, displaying the silver medal, she also waved to the cheering crowds from the open-top-motorcade as the procession began from the airport towards Gachibowli stadium, where the Telangana government has organised a gala felicitation in honour of the star shuttler.
Hyderabad: Rio silver-medalist PV Sindhu leaves for Gachibowli stadium, in the BEST double decker bus #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/13AKEjymBI
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2016
According to GHMC commissioner B. Janardhan Reddy, the star shuttler will be welcomed by school children and citizens at various points from airport to the stadium. He directed officials to install huge hoardings along the procession route to welcome the girl, who made India proud.
A special programme to felicitate Sindhu on her historic win will be held at Gachibowli Stadium.
Hyderabad: Gachibowli stadium gears up to welcome Rio Olympics silver-medalist PV Sindhu. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/KlwNRe7hkg
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 22, 2016
PV Sindhu’s publicity manager says till a few days ago people would ask who is she but now they are lining up to sign her for endorsement and advertising deals. She was already a sports star before she went to Olympics, now she has become a sports icon.
Telangana government had announced Rs. 5 crore cash reward to Ms Sindhu, a 1,000 square yard housing site near the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Gachibowli and suitable government job, if she is willing.
Telangana government had also announced cash prize of Rs. 1 crore to Ms Sindhu’s coach P Gopichand.
Hyderabad Collector Rahul Bojja, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Commissioner B Janardhan Reddy along with heads of various departments today reviewed the welcome arrangements and also inspected the routes from where the motorcade will pass.