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Athletes divided on Salman Khan as Goodwill Ambassador at 2016 Olympics

Salman Khan
Salman Khan

Yesterday BizAsia reported that Salman Khan had been appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for the Rio Olympics this year and would be seen representing India. However, it seems Indian athletes are divided on this decision which was made by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Although there has been outcry by some athletes, IOA have stood firm with the decision.��IOA Secretary General Rajiv Mehta said in a statement, “We are very happy and thankful on Salman’s offer to support Olympic Sports in this country. This association is only a gesture and does not include any monetary consideration”.

He went on to say, “Mr Salman Khan is only being appointed from the Bollywood segment and we are in talks with two other big names in music and cricket. We are more than willing to have as many icons including the likes of Ms. Anju Bobby George and Ms. PT Usha who have the capacity and capability to popularise Olympic sports in the country”.

London Olympics bronze-medallist Yogeshwar and Milkha Singh were vocal about their unhappiness. Singh commented, “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?”

“I want to make it clear that I am not against Salman Khan, but the decision of the IOA is wrong and the Government should intervene in the matter. This is for the first time I am seeing a Bollywood hero being made goodwill ambassador for Olympics. I want to ask has Bollywood ever made any sportsperson an ambassador for any of their mega event?” he further added, according to ZEE News.

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