New Delhi: Bollywood star Salman Khan was on Saturday named goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent for the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro — an unprecedented appointment in the run-up to the quadrennial extravaganza.
The announcement was made in the presence of Olympic medallists and athletes such as boxer M C Mary Kom, hockey captain Sardar Singh, and shooter Apurvi Chandela, among others.
The association between Khan and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was facilitated by IOA’s official marketing agency.
“I am honoured that Indian Olympic Association has chosen me as the goodwill ambassador for the Indian contingent for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games,” said Khan, who is playing the role of a wrestler in his upcoming film ‘Sultan’.
“It is a matter of great national pride that our athletes are performing better and better at the Olympic Games and I think we should all join hands in giving them every support and cheer for them so that Rio 2016 becomes our best Olympic tally,” he added.
IOA President N. Ramachandran said, “His association will not only attract sports lovers but also help motivate the players to do well in the Olympics. We are sure our association with Salman Khan will go a long way.”
The athletes too welcomed the move with Kom saying, “This is a big moment for all of us that Mr Salman Khan has joined us as our family member during Rio Olympics. My preparations for Rio Olympic qualification are going on and I will be competing in the World Championship soon.”
Meanwhile, Khan’s appointment on Sunday triggered a furore with star wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and sprint legend Milkha Singh questioning the move even as IOA and some other athletes backed the decision.
The position itself is unprecedented and IOA’s decision to pick Khan for it left the sporting fraternity divided with London Olympics bronze-medallist Yogeshwar and the legendary Milkha leading the criticism.
The IOA, however, backed the decision to name Khan.
“When celebrities who appeal to public come forward to help naturally we get more publicity which is good for sports. Trend among the youth is that they look towards such film celebrities. If we utilise them there’s no harm,” IOA vice-President Tarlochan Singh said.
“We’re getting his (Salman Khan) help and not giving him anything. IOA is not paying him a penny,” he added.
Earlier, Yogeshwar said Salman has done nothing to merit such an appointment.
“Everybody has the right to promote movies in India, but Olympics is not a place to promote films,” Yogeshwar tweeted in Hindi.
“Can anyone tell me what is the role of goodwill ambassador? Why are you fooling the public?” he added.
The 33-year-old felt a sportsperson would have been more apt for the position.
“Sportspersons like PT Usha and Milkha Singh strived hard for the nation during difficult times. But what has this ambassador done in sports.
“What will happen by the appointment of an ambassador? If you had to do this drama, then why not appoint a sportsperson?” he asked.
“The country needs medals, not sponsors.”
Milkha, too, felt that the IOA has taken a wrong decision and should reconsider the move.
“India has produced so many sportspersons who have given their sweat and blood for the country like PT Usha, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Ajit Pal and so many others. One of these could have been made a goodwill ambassador. What was the need to import a person from Bollywood?” he asked.
