Sports Stars: Section III

Prose: Sports Stars

Section III

Read the biography of P. V. Sindhu and answer the following questions.

The word  will instantly bring P.V. Sindhu in everyone’s mind. Pusarla Venkata Sindhu is one of the two Indian badminton players to ever win a silver medal in 2017 Olympics – the other being Saina Nehwal who has won a bronze medal in 2012 Olympics. Sindhu came to international attention when she broke into the top 20 of the BFW (Badminton World Federation) in September 2012 at the age of 17. She is one of the top five shuttlers in the women’s singles category.

She started playing badminton at the age of eight. Though her parents were professional volleyball players, Sindhu chose badminton over volleyball because she drew inspiration from the success of Pullela Gopichand, the 2001 All England Open Badminton Champion.

Sindhu first learned the basics of the sport with the guidance of Mehboob Ali. She then joined Pullela Gopichand’s 'Gopichand Badminton Academy.'

While profiling Sindhu’s career, a correspondent with The Hindu wrote:

“The fact that she reports on time at the coaching camps daily, travelling a distance of 5 6 km from her residence, is perhaps a reflection of her willingness to fulfil her desire to be a good badminton player with the required hard work and commitment.”

Gopichand seconded this opinion,

“The most striking feature in Sindhu’s game is her attitude and the never-say-die spirit.”

Despite P.V Sindhu being busy with her training schedules and International tournaments, she managed to attend regular school until class 9, after which all her classes were through correspondence. She did balance both her passion as well as her academics and she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (B.com).

After joining Gopichand’s badminton academy, Sindhu won several titles.

She has won many awards as well as cash grants for her contribution and among them, these three awards were conferred on her by the Indian government:

•  Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, the highest sporting honour of India (2016).

• Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India (2015).

• Arjuna Award (2013).

Do you know

The second most popular sport in the world is Badminton. Do you know the first popular one? It is Football.

Complete the mind map given below.

Short questions:

1. Name two Indian badminton players who won medals in the Olympics.

P.V.Sindhu won a silver medal in 2017 Olympics. Saina Nehwal won a bronze medal in 2012 Olympics.

2. When did Sindhu break into the top of the BWF?

Sindhu broke into the top of the BWF in September 2012 at the age of 17.

3. When did Sindhu start playing badminton?

Sindhu started playing badminton at the age of eight.

4. What do you know about the parents of Sindhu?

The parents of Sindhu were professional volleyball players.

5. Whom did Sindhu draw inspiration from?

Sindhu drew inspiration from Pullela Gopichand the 2001 All England Open Badminton Champion.

6. What incident shows her willingness to become a good badminton player?

Every day Sindhu travelled 56 km from her residence to the coaching camps. She used to report on time. This shows her willingness to be a good badminton player.

7. What is the most striking feature in Sindhu's game?

The most striking feature in Sindhu's game is her attitude and the never-say-die spirit.

8. How did Sindhu balance her passion and her academics?

Sindhu attended regular school until class 9. Then she continued her studies through correspondence and got a B.Com degree. Thus she balanced her passion and her academics.

9. What were the awards conferred on Sindhu by the Indian government?

The Indian government conferred on Sindhu the following awards (i) Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award (2016) (ii) Padma Shri award (2015) (iii) Arjuna Award (2013).

Paragraph Writing

What do you know about P.V.Sindhu as an outstanding player?

Sindhu started playing badminton at the age of eight. She drew inspiration from Pullela Gopichand the 2001 All England Open Badminton Champion. Sindhu broke into the top of the BWF in September 2012 at the age of 17. Every day Sindhu travelled 56 km from her residence to reach the coaching camps on time. This shows her willingness to be a good badminton player. The most striking feature in Sindhu's game is her attitude and the never-say-die spirit. The Indian government conferred on Sindhu the following awards (i) Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award (2016) (ii) Padma Shri award (2015) (iii) Arjuna Award (2013). 

GLOSSARY

Correspondent  - Reporter

Commitment /kəˈmɪtmənt/ - Dedication

Never-say-die /ˈnevə-seɪ-taɪ/ - Don’t stop trying

Civilian / səˈvɪljən/ - Ordinary people