PV Sindhu, Coach Gopichand Return From Rio 2016 to Hero's Welcome in Hyderabad

Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu  and her coach Pullela Gopichand received a rousing reception as the badminton star arrived in Hyderabad on Monday morning from Brazil. 

Scores of fans, media and ministers thronged Rajiv Gandhi International Airport to welcome PV Sindhu, who at the age of 21 became the youngest Indian to win an Olympic medal.

PV Sindhu and Gopichand couldn't stop smiling as they boarded a special open double-decker open-top bus that has been commissioned by the Telangana government all the way from Mumbai.

"PV Sindhu has fantastic genes. She was dedicated towards achieving something and this motivated her a lot in Rio," said Gopichand. 

Amid scenes of jubilation and loud cheers from scores of people, PV Sindhu, accompanied by Gopichand, was greeted by her parents -- P V Ramana and P Vijaya -- besides Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali, and some ministers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

"Aggression is always there on the court. I am happy each game was different," said PV Sindhu on her Rio 2016 campaign. 

Later, displaying the silver medal, she also waved to the cheering crowds from the open-top-motorcade as the procession began from the airport towards Gachibowli stadium, where the Telangana government has organised a gala felicitation in honour of the star shuttler.

PV Sindhu displayed her silver medal and waved to the cheering crowds from the open-top-motorcade.

© NDTV

The Telangana government had announced Rs 5 crore cash reward for the 21-year-old, a 1,000 square yard housing site near the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Gachibowli and suitable government job, if she is willing.

The Andhra Pradesh government also announced a cash reward of Rs 3 crore

Meanwhile, Telangana government will give Sindhu's coach Gopichand a cash prize of Rs 1 crore.

Later this week, PV Sindhu will be presented a car, a BMW, that will be handed to her by her favourite sportsman and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.

PV Sindhu lost to world no.1 Carolina Marin of Spain 21-19, 12-21, 15-21 in a pulsating women's singles final that lasted for an hour and 23 minutes.

Sindhu, a two-time World championship bronze medallist, became the first Indian woman player to win a silver in the Olympics and only the fifth woman from India to win a medal at the Games.

(With PTI Inputs)