Pullela Gopichand: 1st Indian to receive IOC’s ‘honourable mention’

Top Indian badminton coach, Pullela Gopichand was awarded an “honourable mention” at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coaches Lifetime Achievement Awards 2019 for his excellence and contribution in the field of coaching.
He is the first-ever Indian to receive the prestigious honour.
He is currently the Chief National Coach of the Indian national badminton team. He founded and runs the Gopichand Badminton Academy.
Gopichand had received the Arjuna Award, highest sporting honour, in 1999 and the Dronacharya Award, highest sports coaching honour, in 2009.
He was awarded India’s third highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan in 2014.
He is the second Indian after Prakash Padukone to win the All England Open Badminton Championships (2001).