The windfall continues for latest badminton sensation PV Sindhu as cricket great Sachin Tendulkar joined in line to congratulate the 21-year-old by promising to present her a BMW car for her silver fetching feat in the Rio Olympics 2016. Earlier, Tendulkar had also presented Saina Nehwal a BMW after she won the Bronze in London Olympics of 2012. Rewards have been flowing from all corners for the shuttler who ensured with her Silver that there was something to cheer about an otherwise dismal Olympic campaign for the country. Sindhu won India’s second medal in the Games after Wrestler Sakshi Malik had opened the account with a Bronze.
The news of the Master Blaster gifting a BMW to Sindhu coincided with the badminton star returning to the country a day after the Rio Olympics ended. She was accorded a star’s welcome as she took a victory ride on an open bus top.
Also Read: PV Sindhu arrives in Hyderabad to a hero’s welcome
Sindhu achieved a number of ‘firsts’ with her feat in Rio. She became the first Indian badminton player to reach the finals and the first to win the silver, bettering the effort of Saina Nehwal in 2012 when she came back home with a Bronze medal to her name. Sindhu also became the youngest individual medalist from the country at the age of 21.
The BMW to be presented by Tendulkar will be sponsored by Hyderabad District Badminton Association President V. Chamundeshwarnath who is a close friend of the batting legend. Chamundeshwarnath had made the announcement right after Sindhu’s semi-final victory over Japanese Nozomi Okuhara that had ensured that Sindhu won’t return without a silver at least.
Also Read: The sacrifices and pains endured by PV Sindhu on her path to greatness
The President of Hyderabad District Badminton Association had earlier said “I had announced a BMW car to anyone from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh who would win a medal at Rio. I will honour it, and will be glad to present it to Sindhu,” he said. “I am planning to get Sachin Tendulkar to gift the automobile to her in Hyderabad. This is a great moment,” he added.
Sachin Tendulkar was one of the four Goodwill Ambassadors of the Rio Olympics 2016 along with Shooter Abhinav Bindra, Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman and Bollywood star Salman Khan. Apart from the automobile, cash rewards, a government job, as well as land have been granted by both Telangana and Andhra Chief Ministers to the 21-year-old badminton sensation. As Sindhu returned home on Monday, more such announcements are expected to follow.
