Archer Vennam Jyothi Surekha who returned home after winning a silver medal in the Asian Games held at Indonesia, was given a warm welcome at the Gannavaram airport on Friday.
Speaking to the media, she said it was her second achievement in the Asian Games. “Last time, I had won a bronze medal. I improved my game and managed to bring home silver medal this time. It was a neck-and-neck fight till the last but in the end, I lost by a couple of points,” she said, adding that she would now aim for an individual medal in the next year’s world archery championship.
Additional Commissioner, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation, Chandra Sekhar, said Ms. Surekha had done proud to the Andhra Pradesh State by winning a silver medal. “We wish her great success in all her future endeavours.”
Later, at a felicitation programme organised by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram, students drawn from municipal schools welcomed the archer by waving colourful Tricolour flags. She reciprocated their gesture by shaking hands with many of them.
‘Take her an inspiration’
Municipal Commissioner J. Nivas said students should take Ms. Surekha, who had won Arjuna award at a very young age, as an inspiration. “Dream big and the sky is the limit,” he goaded students, who lustily cheered the young archer. Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh Chairman Ankam Chowdary, Mayor Koneru Sridhar, Deputy Mayor Gogula Ramana and a few women corporators were present.
