The Andhra Pradesh government has promised to look into the request by PV Sindhu for allotment of a 5-acre land in Visakhapatnam for a badminton academy. Sindhu, in her first meeting with the Andhra Pradesh CM, was given assurance regarding the land and setting up of the facility.
Sindhu was meeting YS Jagan Mohan Reddy after becoming the first Indian to win the BWF World Championships in August. Speaking to media after her interaction with the AP CM, Sindhu said, "I am happy, he congratulated me for my win. The Chief Minister said he would be supportive of the 5 acres land for a badminton academy.”
Stating that Minister for Tourism Avanthi Srinivas has supported her in setting up of a badminton academy in Visakhapatnam, Sindhu said, "The minister has endorsed the suggestion.” She, however, added that only the idea of a badminton academy has been put forward and that no final call has been taken on the matter yet. "It's not confirmed but under consideration but this definitely is a proud moment," she added.
Sindhu’s mentor and Dronacharya awardee Gopi Chand had recently in an interaction with media lamented about the lack of coaches and a supporting ecosystem for badminton in the country.
The Andhra Pradesh state government under the then ruling Telugu Desam Party had appointed Sindhu as a group 1 revenue divisional officer. The then state government had even amended the State Public Services Act to facilitate the appointment to bypass the rule that only those who clear the Andhra Pradesh State Public Service Commission could become a government official.
The former AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had even announced in the state assembly his intention to appoint Sindhu as the state’s sports ambassador. Though Sindhu is a resident of Hyderabad and honed her badminton skills in the city, her parents are natives of Andhra Pradesh. Sindhu had chosen the job offered by Andhra Pradesh government over the one offered by Telangana.