Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the players of the Indian team that created history by winning the Thomas Cup badminton tournament title and said it was no small achievement. Prime Minister Modi met and interacted with the members of the badminton team privately, days after congratulating the players over the telephone after their historic victory in the prestigious tournament in Bangkok. The team also included players from the women’s Uber Cup team. Modi said, “I congratulate the entire team on behalf of the country. This is no small achievement. you made it. There was a time when we were so far behind in these tournaments that no one here knew.
The Prime Minister, during his meeting with the champion shuttler (badminton player), also reminisced about the Thomas Cup where India defeated title contenders Indonesia to win the gold medal. Modi said India was able to hoist its flag in the competition after decades and this was no small achievement. He congratulated the team for its efforts and said that people never paid attention to these tournaments before but after the Thomas Cup win, the countrymen looked at the team and the game of badminton.
The attitude of “Yes, we can do this” has become the new force in the country today, the Prime Minister said. I assure you that the government will provide all possible help to the players.” The Prime Minister lauded the 29-year-old for the way senior player Kidambi Srikanth led the Indian challenge. Srikkanth said, “Sir, I can say with great pride that no player in the world can boast about this. Only we had the privilege of talking to you immediately after the victory. Thank you very much sir.” He said, “The players will be proud to say that we have the support of our Prime Minister.”
Chief national coach Pullela Gopichand said, “The prime minister follows the players and the game and connects with the players.” As for the doubles coach Mathias Bo, who lives in Denmark, he said, “I am a player I have been there and I have also won medals but my Prime Minister never called me for a meeting.
Lakshya Sen gifts the famous ‘Bal Mithai’ of Almora to the Prime Minister – Star shuttler Lakshya Sen gifted the famous ‘Bal Mithai’ of Almora to the Prime Minister. Sen said, “The Prime Minister had spoken about Bal Mithai of Almora and I took it. It is heartwarming that they remember small things about sportspersons.” I hope that I will continue to win medals for India, keep meeting you and bring you sweets.
Won the title by defeating Indonesia 3-0 – The Prime Minister asked that what is it like in the soil of Haryana that one after the other legendary players emerge from there? Women shuttler Unnati Hooda from Haryana was also among those who met the Prime Minister. Unnati said, “Sir, what inspires me is that you don’t discriminate between medal winners and non-medallists.” He slept with his medals on. India won the title by defeating 14-time champions Indonesia 3-0 in the Thomas Cup final.
