Sponsors, government support key to Indian athletes success, says Sindhu

Star shuttler PV Sindhu on Wednesday said support from different sectors, including the government, has played a key role in the success of Indian sportsperson at international level.

"We have sponsors now-a-days, a lot of people have sponsors. Before if you do well, achieve success and are in the top, then only sponsors used to support you," said Sindhu, who recently became the first Indian to win the badminton World Tour Finals.

"But now there are a lot of sponsors who are coming and encouraging at the grass-root level. That is very important."

Sindhu broke her silver jinx in great fashion on last Sunday by defeating her nemesis Nozomi Okuhara of Japan 21-19 21-17 in the women's singles to become the first Indian to win gold at year-ending World Tour Finals in Guangzhou, China.

The 23-year-old Sindhu, who has won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was speaking at the Republic Summit, which was also attended by wrestler Babita Phogat and former India opener Gautam Gambhir.

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