Dipa Karmakar to return BMW presented by Sachin Tendulkar, coach cites maintenance issues

There is no BMW service center in Agartala and the roads are not suitable either, the coach told TOI.
Dipa Karmakar to return BMW presented by Sachin Tendulkar, coach cites maintenance issues
Dipa Karmakar to return BMW presented by Sachin Tendulkar, coach cites maintenance issues
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Over a month after gymnast Dipa Karmakar was gifted a BMW X1 for her stellar performance at the Rio Olympics 2016, she has reportedly decided to return the car owing to maintenance issues. 

Explaining the reasons behind her move, Dipa's coach Bisheswar Nandi told The Times of India, "It wasn't Dipa's decision. Rather it was a collective decision taken by her family and me. There are two main reasons behind it. First, there is no BMW service center in Agartala and secondly, the roads are not suitable to drive a posh car such as this.

Nandi also said that they have spoken to the Hyderabad Badminton Association stating their concerns and that the latter has no problems with it. They have also suggested for the tranfer of an equivalent amount to Dipa's account if possible. 

The report adds that Dipa has been advised to focus on her practice for the Challengers' Cup in Germany scheduled for November rather than get distracted by the maintenance cost of the car. 

Dipa, along with PV Sindhu and Sakshi Malik, the two medalists at Rio, and coach Puella Gopichand, received the luxury vehicles for their achievements. 

The BMWs were gifted by V Chamundeswaranath, President of the Hyderabad Badminton Association, and were presented by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar at a function held at the Gopichand Badminton Academy.

While Sindhu and Gopi received BMW 320 Ds that costs around Rs 40 lakh each, Sakshi and Dipa received compact crossover BMW X1s priced at around Rs 30 lakh each.

(Agency inputs)

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