Mumbai, 24th August, 2015: Smaaash, the sports-centric immersive & interactive entertainment and gaming center upped its game once again with ‘Celebrate Sport’ a mission undertaken by Smaaash along with Bawraas to honour sports persons who have brought laurels to the nation. The Smaaash Sports Foundation (an initiative to support & enthuse sporting talents) and the Bawraas (an initiative conceptualized by stand-up comedian Vikram Sathaye, composer Shantanu Moitra, lyricist Swanand Kirkire to build the careers and fulfill the dreams of talented individuals) came together to celebrate and further encourage the accomplishments of Pullela Gopichand, who changed the landscape of Indian badminton as a player, coach & mentor.
A unique celebration of sporting achievement the evening started with stand-up comedian Vikram Sathaye, lyricist Swanand Kirkire entertaining the gathered crowd with laughter, lyrics and music.The evening also saw some mesmerising performances by guest artists like Ankur Tewari, Arpita Mukherjee and Jasleen Royal.
The festivities culminated with Shripal Morakhia on behalf of the Smaaash Sports Foundation presenting a cheque of INR 5 lacs to Pullela Gopichand Academy and the GoSports Foundation to assist the badminton coach in producing more shuttlers. The Gopichand Badminton Academy is a badminton training facility, founded by the 2001 All England Open Badminton Champion, Pullela Gopichand, the facility has trained several badminton players such as Saina Nehwal, Srikanth Kidambi, Parupalli Kashyap, P. V. Sindhu, Arundhati Pantawane, Gurusai Datt and Arun Vishnu.
“I want to thank the Smaaash Sports Foundation and the Bawraas for this wonderful evening and their support for the Pullela Gopichand Academy/GoSports Foundation. This incredible celebration of sport has enthused me further in my cause of bringing to fore the best badminton talent in India, to the world.”said Pullela Gopichand.
Shripal Morakhia, Chief Imagination Officer and founder of Smaaash commented, “The Smaaash Sports Foundation always looks at avenues to promote sports and the people who mentor the sporting talent. We take immense pride in felicitating sportsmen like Mr. Pullela Gopichand who have taken the sport of badminton to greater heights and mentored some of India’s best players. Celebrate Sport for which we have partnered with the Bawraas (who I feel are kindred spirits), is our own little way to keep the spirit of sportsmanship alive.”
“Bawraas (Shantanu Moitra, Swanand Kirkire and myself) was started with a motive of supporting people who were chasing unconventional dreams! Gopichand is not only a Bawraa (dreamer) himself but has also created a roster of champion Bawraas and therefore we are celebrating him and Go Sport Foundation! We are also happy to team up with Smaaash Sports Foundation for Celebrate Sport where we will be celebrating sports-persons who have won laurels for the country by supporting them in our own way on a regular basis!” Said Vikram Sathaye on behalf of the Bawraas.
The Smaaash Sports Foundation & Bawraas hope to keep the mission of ‘Celebrate Sport’ alive by continuing on its mission to encourage and acknowledge the efforts of sports talents and help them achieve their goals and dreams.