Sachin presents BMWs to India's Olympic medallists, stars

India's Rio Olympics medallists P.V. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik, gymnast Dipa Karmakar who missed a medal by a whisker and badminton coach Pullela Gopichand on Sunday received BMW cars for their achievements.

Cricketing legend and India's goodwill ambassador at the Rio Olympics, Sachin Tendulkar, handed over the keys of the luxury cars to the four sportspersons at a function held at the Gopichand Badminton Academy.

V. Chamundeshwarnath, President of the Hyderabad District Badminton Association, gifted the BMWs.

Sachin took a selfie with the three women and Gopichand amid cheers by those present.

Sindhu and Gopi received BMW 320 Ds that costs around Rs 40 lakh each, Sakshi and Deepa received compact cross over BMW X1s priced at around Rs 30 lakh each.

Speaking on the occasion, Sachin asked them to continue their victorious performances and bring more laurels to the country.

He was all praise for the medallists as well as Dipa and described Gopichand as the real hero.

"I am sure they will bring more medals for the country and continue to make India proud."

"Your preparation, sacrifices are praiseworthy, I know that Sindhu was not allowed to eat certain things, no mobile phone, till the games are over so that she could focus," he said.

"This is a wonderful moment for Indian sports. I hope the journey doesn't stop here but begins here, we all will join the journey and support you and you give us occasions to celebrate number of achievements. The entire nation is jumping with joy now," he said.

Gopichand said that no time before has the nation's pride has been saved by three women.

"Save the girl child is the norm but saved by the girl child is what I would say. Their medals are nothing less than gold.

"Years ago when this journey started I spoke of winning a medal at the Olympics many laughed. Last time we won a bronze we celebrated here .No we are here with silver," he added.

Chamundeshwarnath, a former cricketer and businessman, had initially announced that he will gift a BMW to Sindhu but later decided to give it to the three others as well.

He has so far gifted 15 cars to sportspersons to encourage them to achieve new heights in their respective sports.

Gopi's ward Sindhu won the silver medal in women's singles badminton while wrestler Sakshi bagged a bronze in women's freestyle 58 kg. Dipa finished fourth in artistic gymnastics.

Sindhu recalled that it was Chamundeswarnath who gifted her, her first car a Swift Dezire. "At that function also Sachin sir told me that I would definitely get another car if I get an Olympic medal that happened today. I assure everyone that I will bring laurels to the country in the upcoming tournaments," she said.

"I went to Olympics all alone but now the whole Country is with me. With your support I will get to convert the bronze into Gold in Tokyo Olympics," said Sakshi.

Dipa said that she has no words for the affection showered on here even though she hasn't won a medal.

--IANS

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