Watch: President Droupadi Murmu engages in a friendly badminton match with champion shuttler Saina Nehwal

In a heartful exhibition of her enthusiasm for sports, President Droupadi Murmu played a one-of-a-kind badminton game with India's star shuttler Saina Nehwal at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on Wednesday.

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Rashtrapati Bhavan put out this heartwarming news on X, formerly known as Twitter, underlining President's evident liking for sports and games, as she shared badminton court with the renowned athlete.

“The President’s inspiring step is in keeping with India’s emergence as a badminton-power house, with women players making a great impact on the world stage,” stated Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Saina Nehwal, who is a recipient of India's top awards Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, is all set to deliver a speech and conduct an interaction session with the audience at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on Thursday.

This session will be held under ‘Her Story – My Story’ lecture series, wherein women Padma Awardees will elaborate on their journeys and achievements.

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Earlier on Wednesday, President Murmu also unveiled the prestigious Durand Cup, the President's Cup, and the Shimla Trophy at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Durand Cup football tournament, which will see its 133rd edition kickoff marking the season opener of Indian Football, is slated to begin on July 27, with the final match to be played out on August 31.

In her concise speech during the unveiling ceremony, President Murmu stressed upon the global appeal of football.

“When professional footballers play in front of thousands of fans, the excitement of the players and spectators increases manifold,” she remarked.

The President wished everyone taking part in the Durand Cup Tournament 2024 the very best. Regardless of the results of the games, she urged the players to respect their opponents and to engage in healthy competition.

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While acknowledging that athletics can elicit strong emotions, President Murmu counselled the athletes to use their passions and impulsive energies positively to provide their best effort.

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“Sometimes, there are impulses and passions in the game, but players must try their best to channel their emotions and perform their best in the game,” she said, expressing her confidence in the players’ determination and sportsmanship.

Additionally, President Murmu called on football fans nationwide to help raise the bar for the game and promote a culture of excellence and progress in football.

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