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Sachin Tendulkar gifts BMW car to Saina Nehwal

Press Trust of India | Posted on Aug 19, 2012 at 10:57pm IST

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Hyderabad: Badminton player Saina Nehwal on Sunday received a brand new BMW car for winning a bronze medal at the London Olympics from none other than batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who said that the world is yet to see the best of the star shuttler.

The felicitation function was organised by Vice President of Andhra Badminton Association Chamundeshwari Nath, who honoured the city girl by buying her the luxurious car.

"I am sure that she (Saina) is happy but not satisfied. We are also not satisfied because we know that you can go to greater heights. You have that ability with Gopi's guidance. There are better days ahead and as a sportsperson, you always try to believe that your best is yet to come," the iconic Indian batsman said at the felicitation function.

Sachin Tendulkar gifts BMW car to Saina Nehwal

Congratulating all the medal winners, batting legend Sachin Tendulkar said it was \'terrific\' for India at London.

While announcing a BMW car for Saina and a car each for her coach P Gopichand and budding talent PV Sindhu, Sachin said, "I am quite confident that your best is yet to come and you will emerge victorious across the world and that is what we want".

Heaping praises on Saina, Tendulkar said, "Whatever I have seen of her there is no drama involved, it's just quality badminton and that is what you expect from a sportsperson. After winning (bronze medal) also, she has not got carried away and that's the beauty of being a champion sport person".

Saina gave India its first-ever medal in badminton at Olympics when her Chinese opponent withdrew from the bronze medal play-off after injuring her knee.

"This medal means a lot for India, I am sure this medal has not come without dedication, hard work, focus and having a vision," Tendulkar said.

Congratulating all the medal winners, he said it was "terrific" for India at London. "You all deserve praise and good things that are coming your way," he added.

Responding to the accolade, Saina said she had waited for her Olympic moment since her childhood days.

"I dreamt of being a Olympic champion at the age of 9...It is unbelievable to have won the medal. I am so happy. I should thank Gopi sir for making it possible. He really worked hard with me for many years.

"Myself winning the first medal will really change a lot of things for badminton in India and I am sure we shall have lot more medals in future. I hope badminton becomes one of the most popular games, though may not be like cricket, in our country," Saina said.

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Olympics

London Olympics 2012

Posted on Mar 20, 2013 at 11:06AM IST
The 2012 Summer Olympics are planned to take place between 27 July 2012 and 12 August 2012 in London. The London 2012 Olympic bid was announced as the winner of the bidding process on 6 July 2005, following unsuccessful bid attempts for previo ...

Olympics

Saina Nehwal

Posted on May 20, 2013 at 04:34PM IST
Saina Nehwal is an Indian Khel Ratna badminton player currently ranked 5 in the world by Badminton World Federation.Saina is the first Indian woman to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics and the first Indian to win the World Junior ...

Cricket

Sachin Tendulkar

Posted on May 21, 2013 at 07:17PM IST
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is an Indian cricketer, and Member of Parliament. In ODIs, statistics confirm that Tendulkar is by far the most successful one-day batsman in history. In 2002, just 12 years into his career, Wisden ranked him the second ...

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