Pullela Gopichand stood by PV Sindhu’s side in her silver medal finish at the Rio Olympics. (Source: AP) Pullela Gopichand stood by PV Sindhu’s side in her silver medal finish at the Rio Olympics. (Source: AP)

In what will go down as an embarrassing moment for the Telangana Government and for politicos waiting to bank on the medallists at the Rio Olympics, the state deputy chief minister Mahmood Ali reportedly made an off-hand remark, even if unintentional, at coach Pullela Gopichand.

Prior to PV Sindhu’s silver medal felicitation ceremony at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad, Ali is reported to have said, “We are planning to give PV Sindhu proper coaching so that she can get gold medal next time.” Sindhu is currently coached by Gopichand – a former All England Champion and national coach. He also runs a badminton academy to nurture and develop players of tomorrow.

“The coach that she has right now (Gopichand) is also good but beyond that, we wish for her to get a gold from the next tournament,” he added.

Incidentally, the Telangana government had announced a cash reward of Rs 1 crore for Gopichand who also stood by Saina Nehwal’s side when she had won the bronze at the London Olympics.

Gopichand was gifted land of five acres during the Chandrababu Naidu government of undivided Andhra Pradesh in 2003 that has now helped build shuttlers of the future including PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth – who had reached the quarters of the men’s singles event at the Rio Olympics before bowing out to Lin Dan.

Telangana Dy CM insults Gopichand, says will provide better coach to PV Sindhu. pic.twitter.com/CXcFOEF2fl — NewsX (@NewsX) 22 August 2016

Earlier in the day, Gopichand and Sindhu both were greeted to loud reception at the airport with a large crowd and security. They then took a tour of the city on an open top double-decker bus with parts of the city blocked off. But that didn’t seem to bother most with thousands standing by the roadside to cheer the local girl on her achievement.

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