THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stayed away from the public reception given to Olympic medallists P.V. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik, who were awarded Rs 75 lakh by a Kerala businessman on Friday. Silver medallist badminton player P.V. Sindhu and bronze medal winner wrestler Sakshi Malik received rousing applause from hundreds of students at Cotton Hill Girls’ School. Sindhu was given Rs 50 lakh and Sakshi Malik Rs 25 lakh in the presence of coaches Pullela Gopichand and Mandeep Singh who also received Rs 10 and Rs 5 lakh respectively.
The reception was organised by the State Sports Council and Sports Directorate under the sponsorship of Dubai-based businessman Mukkattu Sebastian. Mr Pinarayi Vijayan, who was to be the chief guest, cited personal inconvenience to turn up at the event. He met the Olympians personally at his official residence, Cliff house. Interestingly, Sports Minister E.P. Jayarajan also did not turn up as he was on a trip to Kannur.
The two, who were in the state for the first time after their achievement at Rio Olympics, were received by former Sports Minister M. Vijayakumar. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik praised the contribution of athletes from the state to Indian sports. Sindhu’s coach Pullela Gopichand said that winning a medal was only a part of sports. Earlier, he had visited the budding players at Sreepadmanabha Indoor court Kaudiar The 2001 All-England Open Badmintion Champion said that a similar felicitation given to Olympic medal winning wrestler Karnam Malleswari had inspired him to excel in his career. Sports Council president T.P. Dasan and Sports and Youth Affairs Director Sanjayan Kumar were also present at the function.
