The visibly delighted parents of P.V. Sindhu – P.V. Ramana and P. Vijaya – dedicated their daughter’s triumphant march into the women’s singles badminton final of the Rio Olympics to the chief national coach P. Gopi Chand.
Speaking immediately after Sindhu was assured of a silver by virtue of reaching the final, Ramana said only his family knew what kind of efforts Gopi had put in once he felt that Sindhu had the potential to be a world-beater.
“Sindhu loved the badminton court more than the parents and always wanted to be there. This is what really impressed Gopi, and we are all grateful to the champion coach,” Ramana said. “Her Today’s performance was the result of all the hard work put in by Gopi and his support staff at the Gopi Chand Academy,” he added.
Interestingly, Ramana also revealed that he has to acknowledge the unsung contribution of Gopi’s son – Vishnu (himself a badminton player) – for Sindhu’s success. “He used to come every day at 4.30 am and help Sindhu in mastering the dribbles at the net. Not many are aware of this,” he pointed out.
“We were always confident of today’s win given the way Sindhu has been playing in the Olympics. Like everyday, today also we went to the temple to perform puja and will do the same before the final with the hope of she winning the Olympic gold medal,” remarked a delighted mother, Vijaya. In fact, when she got up half-way through the second game to have a glass of water, she was told not to move by Ramana who watched the semi-final in the company of the first-ever Telugu speaking Olympian badminton player and Gopi’s wife, Lakshmi Gopi Chand and her sister P.V. Sarada.
“I can only say that I played a very minor role in Sindhu’s success story. Whenever she complained of too much of workload in a lighter vein, I used to gently tell her that whatever her coach Gopi is doing is for the best results. And then crack a joke or two to keep the spirits high,” Lakshmi pointed out.
“I believe that Sindhu is playing the best game of her career in Olympics - very composed even when under pressure and not making too many unforced errors. And, she is a big gold medal hope now for India in the final,” Lakshmi said.
Gopi’s mother, Subbaravamma, felt that Sindhu’s stunning performance is a victory for all Indians not just confined to Telugu-speaking people. “Like all of us here, the entire country is proud of Sindhu and we all hope one more big win and the gold in the final,” she said amidst lusty cheers.
The Academy wore a festive look and ironically as the TV crew trooped on the proud parents to get the first sound bite, they actually missed the action of the final point as the cameras completely blocked the action on TV.
“Doesn’t matter. We are here to celebrate a famous win. I am delighted that Sindhu has done one better than any other Indian shuttler in Olympics history and looking for the golden finish now,” a jubilant Ramana concluded.
CM compliments SindhuChief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has congratulated P.V. Sindhu on her entry into the singles final of women’s badminton and hoped that she will continue her run of success to win the gold medal.
