36th National Games: Sindhu will only attend opening ceremony

Hyderabad: Indian star shuttler and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, who had withdrawn herself from 36th National Games in Ahmedabad on September 29, will attend the opening ceremony. Sindhu withdrew due to an ankle injury, IANS reported.

A release by the Games committee on Saturday quoted Sindhu, "It is unfortunate that I will not be competing in the Games due to my injury. Had I been fit, I would have definitely represented my State (Telangana)."

"The National Games is a great opportunity for all the athletes, and everyone I have spoken to is excited about it. I am sure the badminton matches will be very exciting," Sindhu said.

Sindhu, who is on the path to recovery after sustaining an ankle injury during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August, is, however, going to be in person in Gujarat for the Opening Ceremony on September 29 along with other mega sports stars. Badminton action begins in Surat on October 2.

She, the winner of silver in the 2016 Rio Games and bronze in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, is now in recovery. The Asian Games are ahead, and the Olympic qualifying period is next year.

"It is important that I take care of myself and focus on the challenges ahead in 2023 (Asian Games) and 2024 (Paris Olympics)," she said.

Sindhu's father, PV Ramana, also said it was unfortunate that she could not compete in the National Games. "She was very keen to compete. Unfortunately, she cannot do so as her next review with the doctors and MRI will be in the first week of October," her father, a volleyball international, said.

The ankle injury is a stress fracture, and it requires rest.

"I will be part of her rehab programme. Having been a volleyball player, I know what it is to make heavy landings. I will pass on my experience to Sindhu once she resumes training," said Ramana said.

After the injury she sustained from Commonwealth Games, she did not reveal it but resorted to conservative treatment. "She did not talk about the injury and used conservative treatment to continue playing in the Commonwealth Games. It included icing, strapping the area on the advice of her coach, physios and doctors," said Ramana.

Sindhu could not compete in the World Championship in Japan recently as she was resting. As per her latest consultation with orthopaedic experts in Hyderabad, she has been further advised to rest.