Hyderabad, June 29: India’s tennis icon Saina Nehwal was accorded a hero’s welcome Tuesday when she arrived here after winning three badminton titles in a row.
Saina’s family, friends and a large number of well-wishers and officials of the Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association (APBA) received her at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.
As soon as the 20-year-old came out of the airport, her parents hugged her warmly. Her friends raised slogans of ‘Saina Saina’. Amid drum beats, Saina boarded an open-top flower-bedecked jeep.
Displaying her medals proudly, the world number three responded to greetings from everyone with a smile.
Saina’s coach and mentor Pullela Gopichand and officials and players from the Gopichand Badminton Academy were present in large numbers.
Saina, who hails from Haryana but lives here, received a rousing reception at her residence. Many children vied with one another to take her autograph.
The girl, who made India proud by winning three titles including two super series titles in three weeks, also got a grand welcome at the Gopichand Badminton Academy in Gacchibowli.
Some fans danced amid the drum beats. Crackers were burst as she entered the academy, where she shaped herself into an international during last four years.
“I missed my parents and coach,” Saina said at the press conference. Her father, Harvir Nehwal, said he was proud of her accomplishment.
Andhra Pradesh Badminton Academy president Durga Prasad presented a cheque of Rs.1 lakh to Saina.
–IANS