PV Sindhu's coach Gopichand to get land for academy

VIJAYAWADA: Paving the way for another Gopichand Academy in  Andhra capital, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has announced that Gopichand will be allotted 15 acres of land in the upcoming sports city of Amaravati. Mr Naidu said that the seeds he had sown in Hyderabad by encouraging Gopichand to set up his sports academy has given rich dividends now in the form a silver medal for the country at Rio Olympics.

Mr Naidu said India should participate in the bidding for holding Olympics in future, as it would help improve the quality of sports in this country, an idea which he has been advocating since 2000. He reiterated that world-class infrastructure will be developed for the Amaravati sports city. Mr Naidu hoped Amaravati will host Olympics as per the desire of Telugus and Sindhu will get a gold medal in the next Olympics. Speaking on the occasion, Sindhu said she was happy to arrive in Vijayawada, describing it as her grandfather’s place, and adding that she used to visit the place as a child during vacations and played badminton here. She thanked the government and the people for the warm welcome extended to her. She also thanked her parents and coach Gopichand for their support.

While Gopichand said he saw a dream while sitting in the galleries as a student, when Karanam Malleswari was felicitated by the government. Malleswari stood as an inspiration to him and he went on to win All England Badminton championship. Likewise, he urged students to gain inspiration from Sindhu.