The felicitations continued for India’s Olympic heroes Dipa Karmakar, Sakshi Malik and PV Sindhu as they were felicitated at a function in the presence of Sachin Tendulkar. And this time BMWs were waiting for the stars!
Silver medallist shuttler PV Sindhu and bronze winner grappler Sakshi Malik, along with gymnast Dipa Karmakar and badminton coach Pullela Gopichand were presented BMW cars by in Hyderabad on Sunday.
Hyderabad district badminton association president Chamundeshwarnath gifted the luxury cars to the four sportspersons for their outstanding achievement in the recently-concluded Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
Wrestler Sakshi even asked Tendulkar for a selfie with her family at the end of the event.
Pullela Gopichand, Sindhu’s mentor who has been hailed as a ‘super-coach’, also spoke about his journey.
“Years ago when the journey started, I said we would win a medal at the Olympics and many people laughed. Thanks to Nimmagadda Prasad who believed in this made this possible by helping me start the academy. I also thank Sachin for his encouragement,” said Gopichand.
Sachin Tendulkar, who took a selfie at the end with the champs, lauded Gopichand for his efforts.
“On behalf of the entire nation I thank you making the country proud. I thank Gopi for his coaching and being the hero in background. We need you guidance in getting more medals and I also thank other coaches who help in some way or the other who made this possible.”