Haryana gives 'fantastic' support to players: Saina Nehwal
Chandigarh, Aug 18 (UNI)
Ace Badminton player and Bronze medailist in London Olympics Saina Nehwal today said the support and encouragement extended by the Haryana Government to its players had been 'fantastic' and all state governments should extend similar 'support' to their players.
Ms Nehwal stated this after meeting Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in New Delhi today.
Besides Ms Nehwal, Olympic Silver medal winner and noted wrestler Sushil Kumar, Bronze medal winner Yogeshwar Dutt and Shooter Gagan Narang and other players from Haryana, including Krishna Poonia, Boxers Jai Bhagwan, Manoj Kumar, Sumit Sangwan, Shooter Annuraj Singh, Judo player Garima had called on Mr Hooda.
Ms Nehwal said now everybody was asking the reason as to why Haryana players were performing so well as 18 players from Haryana represented the country out of the total 81 players in the Olympic contingemt. Four of them won medals in Olympics.
She said Mr Hooda was himself a player and had developed a sports culture in the state. "Mr Hooda still plays regularly so he could better understand the needs and aspirations of the players." She recalled that Mr Hooda had always encouraged her.
After Beijing Olympics, Mr Hooda had honoured her and did not forget to congratulate her on her victory, she added.
She said now even the players from other states wished they were from Haryana.