Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan on Tuesday felicitated badminton player Kidambi Srikanth after his exploits at three super series tournaments in recent weeks including winning two of them – Indonesian and Australian Open Series titles.
Speaking at a function, the Governor said Raj Bhavan proved to be a lucky venue for badminton players and recalled how exactly a year ago, during felicitation of P.V. Sindhu, he had spotted the spark in Kidambi Srikanth and expected him to win many championships in the future.
“He has proved me right”, the Governor said, and expressed the hope that every year the venue would see many such badminton stars.
The Governor said it was a great day for Raj Bhavan that the illustrious national coach and Dronacharya awardee P. Gopichand, along with his protégés, was present.
He said he felt a special attachment to the Gopichand Academy for having churned out several badminton champions from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Although Mr. Gopichand looked soft as a person, he was tough as a coach. Anybody who joined the Gopichand Academy had little choice but to come out a champion, he said. Mr. Gopichand said it was a privilege for the badminton players to come to Raj Bhavan and receive the felicitations.
