Retired cricket legend Sachin
Tendulkar has accepted Indian Olympic Association’s invitation to become the
Goodwill Ambassador for the upcoming 2016 Rio Olympics.
In what has been a
controversial topic since IOA
(Indian Olympic Association) named Salman Khan as ambassador, the Olympic
body were forced into naming other ambassadors after a furor over naming a
non-sporting ambassador. Even now, Tendulkar’s nomination might pacify
some due to his laurels in sports and for the country, some might question the
selection given cricket is not part of the Olympics.
His statement to IOA expressed
interest in meeting the athletes before they leave for Rio and any other
awareness campaigns preceding the extravaganza in person or through social
media.
The IOA Secretary General,
meanwhile, said they are yet to get a confirmation from Rahman. “Mr.
Rahman is yet to communicate to us but we are hopeful that he will also
accept our invitation,” Mehta said.
Asked about what specific role the
goodwill ambassadors would play, Mehta said: “These iconic sportspersons
and celebrities will spread the idea of Olympic movement in
every nook and corner of the country, every village, block and
city of India.
“They will help in building up a
sporting culture in this country. We need a sporting culture if we want to
become a sporting country,”
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