They share the same dreams and work together in their pursuit of excellence. And in a rather apt coincidence, three pupil-mentor pairings are up for the Arjuna and Dronacharya awards this year.

Saina Nehwal has won the Arjuna, while national badminton coach and former champion Pullela Gopichand will get the Dronacharya. In wrestling, there is Yogeshwar Dutt winning the Arjuna and Satpal getting the Dronacharya, with Sushil Kumar recommended for the Khel Ratna; and in hockey, women’s captain Surinder Kaur is up for the Arjuna award while Baldev Singh gets the award for coaching.

“I am really happy and, coming just before the World Championships, it will only motivate me to work harder,” Saina told The Indian Express.

“The fact that me and him (Gopichand) are getting it together feels great. But I am happier for Gopi because he has put in so much of hard work to get the results. On court he is very strict but off it he is a friend and a great teacher who constantly keeps sharing his experiences with all of us. It has taken us all a lot to reach here and, given the fact that even he and his coach (SM Arif) got theirs in the same year and now we have done it again, it is amazing,” she said.

On his part, Gopichand is his usual restrained self. “It feels great, but only adds to the responsibility. I am lucky to have such talented players and great youngsters under me,” he said.

... contd.