A grand reception awaits London Olympics bronze medal winner in badminton Saina Nehwal, on her arrival at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport tomorrow. Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association (APBA), Ch Punnaiah Choudary said today that the official would receive the country’s best shuttler. He said Saina and her coach, Pullela Gopichand deserved to be felicitated for scripting Indian badminton’s greatest moment in recent years. ‘I am sure Saina’s success will transform the equations and make India a stronger force in the international women’s circuit.
Mr Choudary lauded the efforts and encouragement extended to the player by her parents to groom her career. He said they would accord Saina a homecoming that is worthy of an Olympic medalist. Saina is the first badminton player from India to achieve a podium finish at the biggest sporting extravaganza. UNI