(S.Ravi Seshu)
Starting from the fastest human Usain Bolt of Jamaica to the magical football legend Neymar to God of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar, God ‘plays’ a vital role in their sporting career. Notwithstanding their dedicated hard work and dogged determination, a majority of sports persons invoke Gods while playing.
Pullela Gopichand, the Indian national badminton chief coach and guru of the pride of India PV Sindhu, was seen chanting something during her medal chase in Rio Olympics. Call it an impact of the guru’s prayers or lady luck, Sindhu stormed to finals but fumbled in the title clash against the World No-1 Carolina Marin of Spain. He reportedly murmured something during the nerve-wrecking finals too.
What did Gopi chant?-is a million dollar question for some inquisitive brains. The president of the Telangana Badminton Association and No-2 in the State cabinet, K.T.Rama Rao’s sharp eye didn’t miss Gopi’s chanting. Hence, he apparently asked Gopi as to what he had chanted but the guru didn’t disclose the mantra.
“I asked Gopi as to what mantras did he chant by sitting behind Sindhu but he didn’t reply but whatever he had done, it worked out,” KTR openly said during the felicitation programme in GMC Balayogi stadium in Gachibowli. It evoked a broad smile from Gopi.
Later, the probe-stars, Journalists, also tried to get an answer for this interesting question. “What were you reading during the matches?” asked a reporter and continued to ask if it was a secret. The cool cucumber, Gopi, who always keeps the cards close to his chest, avoided a direct answer by murmuring, “yes, it is a secret.” No other journalist tried to make Gopi to let the cat out of the bag.
In the felicitation ceremony arranged by the Governor in Raj Bhavan in the night too Gopi didn’t spill the beans though all the speeches sounded highly philosophical.
Addressing the parivar of Raj Bhavan, Sindhu at the outset thanked God for whatever she had achieved. “I thank him,” she said keeping her right hand on her heart.
Whether you call it the God’s hand or not but the 21-year-old lanky Hyderabadi spread joy to scores of souls, an act that Gods appreciate for sure.
