Wizard of ball badminton enters centenary year of his life

Warangal: The wizard of ball badminton, Arjun award winner, Jammalamadaka Pitchaiah has entered into his centenary year of his life after celebrating his 99th birth day here on Thursday.

Former director of SAAP and the city Congress working president Rajanala Srihari has organised a celebration marking Pitchaiah’s birthday at his residence at Bank Colony in Warangal on Thursday amid family members and friends.

He felicitated Pitchaiah with a shawl and garland and said, “It is a matter of great pride for the residents of Warangal that grand old man of Indian Badminton Pitchaiah lives here. I feel fortunate to be associated with him and for celebrating his birthday”.

Born in Kuchipudi in Krishna district on December 18, 1918, he came to Warangal in search of a living in 1947 and since then he became a favourite of all and everyone in Warangal takes pride in the achievements of the player, Srihari noted.

Listing out the medals and prizes won by Pitchaiah, Srihari said the Arjun awardee has brought glory to the game for over two decades during 1950 to 1960 and even after crossing the age of 90 he made great efforts to popularise the game.

Pitchaiah, aged yet agile, felt that being a sportsman has helped him live long and healthy. ‘Receiving Arjuna Award in the year 1970 is the happiest moment in my life,’ he said adding youth should come into filed of sports in more numbers and win medals at national and international events.

Market committee former chairman M Vinod Kumar, Congress BC cell chairman K Srinivas, spokesperson Ch Venkateshwarlu, leader K Sadanandam and others were present.