Saina and Co. sizzle on the ramp

New Delhi, April 23 (IANS)

Star Indian shuttlers lit up the hall as they walked the ramp in a gala opening ceremony here on the eve of the India Open.

Displaying designer clothes, Parupalli Kashyap, Jwala Gutta, Ashwini Ponnappa, P.V. Sindhu, Pullela Gopichand and Saina Nehwal took to the ramp Monday night as the entire Indian badminton contingent cheered them on. Olympian Kashyap got the loudest cheer from his fellow players.

Shuttlers who played in the London Olympics were felicitated and presented with the prize money as had been promised by the Badminton Association of India (BAI).

Saina got Rs.25 lakh for winning the bronze medal in London last year. Women’s doubles specialists Jwala and Ashwini got Rs.2.5 lakh while Jwala’s mixed doubles partner V. Diju was awarded Rs.1 lakh.