Date:20/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/20/stories/2008082053582100.htm

Sport - Badminton

Cash awards for Saina, Anup and Gopi

NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association (UPBA) on Tuesday announced a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh for Saina Nehwal.

Saina, who put up a creditable show at the Beijing Olympics to become the first Indian ever to reach the quarterfinals of the Games, will be honoured during the Syed Modi memorial international tournament to be held in Lucknow from December 18-22, according to a UPBA statement.

Reacting to the announcement, Saina said it would provide further encouragement to her. “I am very happy and I thank them for that. I feel it will help me perform even better in the tournaments ahead,” she said.

Besides Saina, Anup Sridhar and Chief National Coach P. Gopi Chand will be given cash awards of Rs 50,000 each. Sridhar made the second round, while Gopi Chand, the 2001 All England champion, coached the two Indian players at the Beijing Olympics.

Gopi Chand said, “It’s a very good gesture. They (UPBA) are really supporting and encouraging the players.” — Sports Reporter