Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao has requested chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to honour badminton player Saina Nehwal who has become the world number one, like the way the state government had honoured tennis player Sania Mirza in the past.

He hailed the “generous acts” of the state government for rewarding tennis player Sania Mirza with Rs 1 crore cash prize and making her ambassador of the new state besides offering a financial support of Rs 35.5 lakh to a pilot trainee programme,  Salwa Fathima, for her further training.

“Such acts of generosity would go a long way in encouraging sportspersons in the state,” Hanumantha Rao said in a letter addressed to Chandrasekhar Rao.