Cash incentive for Gopi Chand and Sania

SUPPORT SPARKS SMILEs: Sania Mirza and Pullela Gopi Chand must have been buoyed by their State's gesture.

HYDERABAD: The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy presented cash incentives to former All England badminton champion Pullela Gopi Chand and tennis star Sania Mirza to help them in their respective endeavours — in Gopi Chand's case to tap talent and in Sania's case, to improve her performance in the Grand Slam events.

Dr. Reddy sanctioned Rs. 20 lakhs towards training for Sania Mirza, who will be leaving for Italy to be coached by Bob Brett, and Rs. 10 lakhs to Gopi Chand to meet the salary of the UK-based coach Thomas John. The coach's services are being utilised in the Asian Badminton Confederation's training programme which is to be conducted under the aegis of the Gopi Chand International Academy at Gachibowli.

Sania was presented 75 per cent of the sanctioned amount by the Chief Minister by cheque on Monday. This was after Sania was introduced to Dr. Reddy by Ms. Sumita Dawra, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh, at the CM's camp office on Monday morning.

CM's assurance

"I am glad that Sania has been performing exceptionally well. And we sincerely wish she will scale new heights in the world of tennis," remarked Dr. Reddy. Referring to Gopi's Academy, the Chief Minister advised him to carry out his task in the best possible manner. "Our ultimate objective is to produce champions and the Government will support you in your efforts," he assured the champion shuttler.

Later speaking to the media, Sania said that she would take part in the French Open even if she was not fully fit. "But I am optimistic of being in a more confident frame of mind after my training stint with Bob Brett before the Grand Slam," she said.

"I can only hope that things will get better as the days progress. Right now I cannot exactly say which events I will compete in during the run-up to the French Open," she said. "Yes, definitely I am really happy that I am back on the court after a six-week break," Sania concluded.