It was an evening champion doubles shuttler N. Sikki Reddy could well remember for a long time. Not just for the brand new Ford Ecosport car presented by Hyderabad District Badminton Association president V. Chamundeswaranath but for the rich compliments her chief coach and mentor P. Gopi Chand, fellow superstar P.V. Sindhu and film star Nagarjuna Akkineni showered on her.
What Sikki achieved in the recent past (including being named Most Valuable Player of the last PBL, being member of the Indian team which won the team gold in the recent Commonwealth Games) is just the tip of the iceberg. She is bound to achieve many more in the coming days, Gopi remarked.
“She has always been an amazing trainee at my Academy. When many preferred to avoid doubles, she was one of the very few who was willing to play. I must say she is an inspiration for many given the way she fought back from adversity (a career threatening injury) to be one of the best doubles players now. She is gritty and works really hard. We should also recognise the kind of efforts her parents put in despite all odds,” Mr. Gopi said.
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For his part, Nagarjuna said the credit for producing champion shuttlers like from a factory went to Mr. Gopi. “I always feel proud when I tell people that I know Gopi as a very good friend,” he said.
He said he sincerely wished Sikki, and Sindhu, who is one of the few women who is taller than him, to go on to win many more laurels at the highest level.
“Gopi Academy happens to be one of the very few places I visit where I get lot of positive energy. Honestly, I tell you that I soak in this when I go back home and be a different person with lots of positivity,” Nagarjuna said.
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Chamundeswaranath said the car to Sikki was also a token gesture of recognising the wonderful results the doubles player had been giving at the highest level of late. “Let her win All England or a World championship gold, I will present a bigger car,” he said.
Responding to the gesture, Sikki Reddy said she owed everything to Gopi Sir.
“I remember the days of my rehab when he used to push me saying one more day one more day. Just like in six months my rehab was over and I was back on the court,” she recalled.
“This is precious gift for me and I will cherish for ever even while promising to achieve bigger deeds. I must also thank my best friend Sindhu for always supporting in my cause,” she said.