PV Sindhu, Pullela Gopichand to be Felicitated in Mumbai

Rio Olympics silver medallist PV Sindhu and her mentor and chief national coach Pullela Gopichand will be felicitated by Maharashtra Badminton Association in Mumbai on September 6.

In her first visit to Mumbai since winning the silver at Rio de Janeiro, Sindhu will be felicitated by Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis and Arun Lakhani, President, Maharashtra Badminton Association.

Sindhu has won two bronze medals at World Championships in the past. She became the first Indian shuttler in Indian history to win a Silver at the Olympics. Against all odds, Sindhu made it to the finals of the women's singles.

"We are delighted to host PV Sindhu in Maharashtra since her arrival from Brazil. On behalf of the entire Badminton fraternity, I would like to congratulate her etching herself in the history of Indian Badminton," said Lakhani, who took over the reins of the Maharashtra Badminton Association in October 2015.

"I am certain her feat will inspire several youngsters to take up Badminton professionally. I would also like to congratulate and thank her coach, Pulela Gopichand for always being there for any young shuttler who is looking for guidance and help. His contribution to the sport cannot go unnoticed," he added.

Meanwhile, Kirtilals, a premium diamond jewellery brand in India, has honoured Olympic silver medallist P V Sindhu for her achievements at the Rio Games.

To celebrate her achievements at the Olympics, Kirtilals designed an exclusive souvenir, a miniature badminton racket made of gold and diamonds and presented it to Sindhu on Thursday, Kirtilal's Director-Business Strategy, Suraj Shantakumar, said in a release.

Receiving the souvenir, Sindhu said, "It's an encouragement for every sportsperson to receive recognition for the hard-work and accomplishments."