London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal was named ‘sportsperson of the year’ at the annual Telangana Sports Journalists Association awards function here on Tuesday. Her father, Dr. Harvir Singh, received it on her behalf as she was indisposed.
Rio Olympics silver medallist P.V. Sindhu was named ‘outstanding performer’ in women’s section while P. Gopichand was presented the ‘coach of the year’ award. The Indian badminton team was adjudged the ‘team of the year’ and the Badminton Association of Telangana was named ‘Association of the Year’.
At the event, former cricketer and Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor V.V.S. Laxman cited the example of Mr. Gopichand to stress the need for athletes to give back to the game after retirement.
