After the parade, PV Sindhu was facilitated at the Gachibowli stadium where other sportsmen and officials of Telangana government as well as ministers were present. There were a number of ceremonies Sindhu went through and speeches were given to highlight her growing stature in the sporting world as well as expectations were voiced of her bringing more medals of higher denomination too.
The biggest success for India at the Rio Olympics, PV Sindhu arrived at the Hyderabad International Airport today and was greeted by hundreds of fans gathered there and was officially met by the representatives of the Telangana and Andhra governments. Sindhu had reached the Olympic Games final in women's badminton where she was able to win one game, but lost two others to go down to Spain's Carolina Marin. However, Sindhu thereby won the silver medal as she came in second while the bronze was taken by Japan's Nozomi Okuhara. This second place finish was the best that an Indian was able to accomplish in Rio even though the country sent its biggest ever contingent there. On her return to her state, today, Sindhu will be honoured for her massive achievement through various programmes. The Olympic Games concluded today and the occasion was marked by a colourful closing ceremony.
Among the first things that PV Sindhu had to to go through on arrival in Hyderabad was an open-top-motorcade through the streets of the city. Sindhu lifted and showed off her silver medal countless times as the procession wound its way towards the Gachibowli stadium – the procession started from the Hyderabad airport itself. An ecstatic Sindhu was seen smiling and laughing all the way to the stadium as people, college students and even school children waved the national flag and shouted encouragement to her as well as congratulated her on her great achievement. There were showers of flower petals on the motorcade too. Sindhu herself was waving the national flag and thoroughly enjoyed the special occasion even though she must have been tired from the long flight from Rio.
Earlier, PV Sindhu, 21, who is accompanied by super-coach Pullela Gopichand, met her parents P V Ramana and P Vijaya at the airport. The scene was very touching. Among the dignitaries who lined up to greet Sindhu were Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali. Other officials of the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments too had marked their presence.
Earlier today, Sindhu traveled through an open bus parade as she waved to the crowd gathered to acknowledge their support.
