Sachin Tendulkar gifts a BMW to Saina Nehwal

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

One is a rising badminton star, the other is a cricket legend. It is surely a rarity to see cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and badminton champ Saina Nehwal in the same frame. The two came together when Saina who recently won a bronze medal at the London Olympics 2012 was felicitated with a car by Vice President of Andhra Badminton Association, Chamundeshwarnath.

Aug 20th 2012

We really can’t say if Saina is beaming on being gifted a BMW or on meeting Sachin. Either way, we’re happy for the talented youngster. Sachin was all praises for Nehwal. He told her that her best is yet to come and the nation awaits it.

A modest Saina thanked her coach, Gopichand Pullela for her success. At the felicitation function, Sachin also announced a car each for Gopichand and another budding badminton talent, PV Sindhu.

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Sachin gives away BMW to Saina

Hyderabad, Aug 20: Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar gave away a brand new BMW car to India’s most successful shuttler Saina Nehwal at a function here.

The batting maestro, who arrived here along with rest of the team to play the first test against New Zealand starting here Aug 23, gave away the car to Saina, who won a bronze medal in the London Olympics.

The car was presented by Sachin’s close friend and former Andhra Ranji captain V. Chamundeswaranath to Saina, who became the first ever Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal.

Sachin also gave away Maruti Swift car to young shuttler Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, who won the girls’ singles title in the Asian Youth Under-19 Championships last month. She is also the first Indian to achieve this feat.

“I am very happy to receive the second car from the god of cricket,” said Saina, who was accompanied by her coach Pullela Gopichand.

“I am glad to congratulate Saina and Gopi. This medal means a lot for India and it has not come without hard work, dedication, focus and vision. I congratulate you for making us all feel proud,” said Sachin while congratulating other medal winners at London Olympics.

The cars were given away at glittering function attended by sportspersons, film stars and other eminent personalities from various walks of life.

Hyderabad, Aug 7: India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal who returned to her hometown after winning a bronze medal at London Olympics 2012, revealed that she had promised her father that she would return with a medal.

Also Read: Saina Nehwal receives rousing welcome

“I was confident that I would win a medal, but never said it because that adds to the pressure. I have seen many players doing it. I was playing well and I was feeling good. I had told my father that there is no way I am coming without a medal,” Saina said.

“It’s a great dream and I am really happy to do what I believed in. Nothing is bigger than standing on an Olympic podium,” she added.

Having achieved this feat very early in her career, Saina thanked her parents and coach Gopichand.

“I want to thank dad, mom and Gopi sir for their support. I really hope to win many more medals for India,” she said.

After losing the first game to World No 2 Wang Xin, Saina was awarded the bronze medal under fortuitous circumstances as the opponent twisted her ankle which forced her to withdraw from the bronze-medal clash.

“I felt bad for her, it was really sad, I had never won a match like that ever. I was still in game mode and was surprised when Wang quit the game,” said Saina.

Talking about her loss to World No 1, Wang Yihan in the semi-final, Saina said her strategy wasn’t right against the World’s best shuttler and was confident about performing better next time.

“My strategy was not right against Wang Yihan. She’s World No. 1 and she certainly has good qualities. Next time I will be better.”

Talking about Saina’s achievement, Coach Gopichand and Saina’s father Harvir Singh were excited about the feat and showered praise on the young shuttler.

“When it mattered the most, Saina gave her 100%. She never missed her practice ever for a single day,” Gopichand said.

“I had promised Saina that we will win a medal in Olympics. And getting a medal for her was a real big challenge,” the former Indian badminton player said.

“I never had an Olympic medal in my career but now I have one,” he added.

Saina’s father was quite excited about his daughter’s feat, as he said, “Well done Saina” and wished that Saina won many medals in the future.

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