Andhra CM announces Rs 50 lakhs for Kidambi Srikanth
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced cash prize of Rs 50 lakhs to shuttler Kidambi Srikanth for winning men’s singles titles at the Indonesian Open Super Series Premier and Australian Open Super Series.
At a felicitation held at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram Vijayawada, the Andhra Pradesh CM congratulated the shuttler’s efforts and offered him a Group 1 officer post as well in the state. Srikanth’s coach, Dronacharya awardee Pullela Gopichand, was also given Rs 15 lakh. Srikanth presented a badminton racket to CM on the occasion.
Naidu assured that necessary financial support would be given to Srikanth to train under foreign coaches. A sports university will also be developed in Amaravati for encouraging budding sports players, while regional coaching centers will come up in Visakhapatnam and Tirupati, he added.
It's a blessing to serve this soil that produces champions like @srikidambi. Will make all possible efforts to promote sports in AP. pic.twitter.com/jwq4cdDihp
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) June 29, 2017
It was a moment of pride and joy to meet and interact with @srikidambi, the champion from Guntur who has never failed to prove his mettle. pic.twitter.com/rb4sFCBD39
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) June 29, 2017
In his thanksgiving speech, Srikanth said: “The land which Chief Minister gave to Gopi sir helped in blossoming the game in unified Andhra Pradesh. I always played for Andhra Pradesh and in future I will keep playing for AP.”