Pune: City welcome Asian Games Kabaddi Gold medalist Snehal with grand rally Listening to the national anthem is a surreal feeling, says Snehal
Pune, 12th October 2023: Puneites celebrated the success of Snehal Shinde, India’s Asian Games gold medal-winning Kabaddi player on Thursday with a grand rally – from the Dagdusheth Ganpati Mandir to Snehal’s house in the Khadak Police line – in the city.
“The way this city welcomed me back and all the love they showered on me is surreal,” Snehal said, while interacting with the media after the rally. Snehal was cheered all along the route by people and she acknowledged them by waving her gold medal.
Snehal’s close family – her husband Sagar Sakhare, her mother-in-law Swati Sakhare, her parents – Surekha and Pradeep Shinde, brother Nikhil Shinde, sister Kishori Shinde and other relatives also joined the celebration.
“My sister Kishori, who herself is a Kabaddi player, inspired me to take up the sport and I am proud that I could follow her footsteps and play for the national team,” she said before adding that listening to the national anthem in Hangzhou is something she will never forget.
“There were times when India dominated the sport but seeing the competitive teams from Iran and Taiwan shows that the sport is gaining popularity outside India, and it’s a nice feeling,” Snehal said.
