The inspiring success of PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal at the global level has made badminton the most flourishing sport in India in the last decade, national chief coach Pullela Gopichand said on Sunday.
Pullela Gopichand recommended HS Prannoy for the Arjuna Award in his capacity as a Khel Ratna Award recipient.
Pullela Gopichand said that the lockdown forced by the coronavirus pandemic is going to affect everyone and that people need to stay positive through it.
Pullela Gopichand, Indian badminton team's chief coach, donated Rs 26 lakh with 15 lakh to PM-CARES fund while Rs 5 lakh each to both Andhra and Telangana state governments.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with 40 elite sportspersons including cricket icons like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly.
The country is currently in the midst of a 21-day lockdown to fight COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed close to 25,000 lives globally.
Leander Paes said that Indian Tennis needs to have people like former cricketer Rahul Dravid and former badminton player Pullela Gopichand, who have helped in producing young talent.
Pullela Gopichand had claimed in a book that former badminton star Prakash Padukone had encouraged Saina Nehwal to leave Gopichand's academy in Hyderabad.
