Vodafone helps child prodigy Vamsi Krishna to play against Carolina Marin

The Vodafone Premier Badminton League Season 3 has been an exciting journey so far, allowing avid fans of the sport to enjoy world-class badminton.

One of the most memorable rallies of the season has been the one between an upcoming Indian youngster, Vamsi Krishna and Olympic champion Carolina Marin, in what was a very unique match.

A budding teenager on the amateur badminton circuit, Vamsi Krishna came into the limelight when he defeated the defending champion, Vishal Pullela, the son of Indian national team coach and badminton legend Pullela Gopichand, and his partner to win the gold medal at the nationals. Discovered by Coach Govardhan Reddy while working as a shuttlecock feeder, Vamsi trains under him at the Vishwamanya Badminton Academy.

The son of a bus driver who also works as a local badminton coach, Vamsi Krishna and his family did not have the resources necessary to be able to train formally. His coach stepped up for him at the right moment, starting a crowd-funding campaign to help raise money for his training. Fans of the sport and concerned citizens were so moved by Krishna's plight that they opened their hearts and purse strings, raising Rs. 2 lakh for him in just eight days, higher than the initial target amount of Rs. 1.6 lakh.

Vamsi dreams of one day soon being able to play for the Indian U-19 team. So far in his career, he has won two gold medals in the national U-13 doubles competition, apart from winning the Andhra Pradesh State gold and the bronze medal in the national U-13 singles competition.

Recognising his precocious talent, Vodafone India provided him a platform where he got to play against Carolina Marin, an international star. Vamsi Krishna enjoyed himself in the match against Marin and after the match, shared his joy, saying, “I have been following Carolina Marin’s game on television, particularly during the ongoing Vodafone Premier Badminton League. I thank Vodafone for providing an opportunity for an amateur like me to play against the Super Champion. Carolina is one of the quickest players and it was like a dream come true to share the court with an inspiring champion.”

File Photo: Vamsi Krishna in action