The Indian Olympic Association has nominated Badminton Association of India (BAI) Secretary Karanam Chenchu Punnaiah Choudary as the official delegate from the Badminton Association of India to the Rio Olympics, according to a BAI release on Tuesday.
Known for his indefatigable efforts, this 75-year-old Bheeshmacharya of the badminton has been leading the State association as its general secretary for nearly three decades. His role in popularising badminton in Andhra Pradesh is praise-worthy.
His passion for the feather game made him explore new avenues and he qualified as a national umpire in 1981 and later, became India’s first international umpire in 1983 and officiated several international fixtures, including Thomas and Uber Cups.
Punnaiah will leave on August 5 to Argentina and Chile for a badminton development programme and will reach Rio on August 11.
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