New Delhi: Ace Indian athlete Dipa Karmakar, who became an overnight success during Rio Olympics 2016, is all set to return her swanky BMW presented to her by Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.
India`s goodwill ambassador at the Rio Olympics, Tendulkar, handed over the keys of the luxury cars to the four sportspersons at a function held at the Gopichand Badminton Academy soon after they returned from Rio in August. (PHOTOS: Tendulkar presents BMWs to Sindhu, Sakshi, Gopi, Dipa)
According to a report in The Times of India, Dipa, who is the first ever female gymnast from India to have participated in Olympics, is contemplating to return the car because of the high maintenance costs which come along with the luxury vehicle.
Speaking to the newspaper, Dipa's coach Bisheswar Nandi said that it was a collective decision taken by the family members of the ace athlete.
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"There are two main reasons behind it. First, there is no BMW service center in Agartala and secondly, the roads are not suitable to drive a posh car such as this."
Dipa is said to have spoken to V. Chamundeshwarnath, president of the Hyderabad Badminton Association and the sponsor of the car, who suggested giving her an amount equivalent of the car.
Tendulkar had presented brand new BMWs to India's Rio Champions – PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik, Dipa Karmakar and Pullela Gopichand in August end.
Gopi's ward Sindhu won the silver medal in women`s singles badminton while wrestler Sakshi bagged a bronze in women`s freestyle 58 kg. Dipa finished fourth in artistic gymnastics.
Even though Sachin handed over the keys of the cars, they were actually sponsored by businessman V. Chamundeshwarnath, who besides being president of the Hyderabad Badminton Association, is also one of Tendulkar's friends.
