Indian badminton sensation Saina Nehwal on Friday donned Indian Air Force uniform and took the skies seated in a Kiran MK II Jet trainer aircraft.
The Deccan Herald writes that the Olympic medalist was invited as a special guest for the closing ceremony of the Inter Squadron Sports Championship at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal on the outskirts of Hyderabad and was given the celebrity ride in the Kiran- MK-II.
She flew in a ‘Kiran Jet Trainer’ for about 20 minutes. The shuttler described it as one of her best moments.
“It is a dream of every person. I want to thank badminton and the Indian Air Force Academy for this experience. I was very nervous and when we entered the clouds, I said no-no. It was an interesting experience and I have been promised that the next plane will be a fighter jet,” she was quoted in the report.
Meanwhile The Hindu quoted her as saying “I was initially scared. I was more nervous than playing the bronze medal match in London. But, once in the sky, I felt more comfortable,” said a beaming Ms. Nehwal after her 22-minute sortie from the Air Force Academy at Dundigal near here.
“It was a dream day for me. Like anyone as a child I always dreamt of flying. But never thought it would happen this way. It was a great experience,” she said. “I will come back again, maybe after a few more lessons in flying,” Nehwal added.
“I play badminton day in and day out. To be here is a great feeling. The IAF is doing a great service to the country. So, I thank badminton for giving me this huge opportunity,” the report further quoted her.