Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s appointment as the Indian Olympic contingent’s goodwill ambassador kicked up a storm with star wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and sprint legend Milkha Singh questioning the move even as the IOA and some other athletes backed the decision. The Indian Olympics Association (IOA) which stood firm on the decision said that it would rope in more icons from music and cricket to motivate the Rio-bound athletes.
“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,” IOA Secretary General Rajiv Mehta said in a statement. “…our key objective of bringing him on board is to draw maximum attention from the masses, due to which there will be more eyeballs and viewership which will eventually result in popularising Olympic sports in the country.”
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. Yogeshwar felt a sportsperson would have been more apt for the position.
