Press Trust of India
New Delhi, April 29: Celebrated shooter Abhinav Bindra was Friday roped in as goodwill ambassador of India’s Olympic contingent alongside Bollywood star Salman Khan, while cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar was also approached for the role after the controversial actor’s appointment created an uproar.
India’s first and only individual Olympic gold-medallist, Bindra said he received IOA’s invitation Friday and immediately agreed for the role. IOA has also approached Tendulkar and Oscar-winning music composer A R Rahman with a similar offer.
“Received a letter this afternoon from the President and Secretary General of the IOA inviting me to be a goodwill ambassador. I am humbled that they thought I am worthy enough for this honour. I respectfully accept this with gratitude,” Bindra said in a series of tweets.
Tendulkar and Rahman, however, are yet to respond to the IOA’s offer. “We are in communication with Sachin Tendulkar and A R Rahman to become brand ambassadors of the Indian Olympic contingent. We are yet to get their reply,” said Indian Olympic Association (IOA) vice president Tarlochan Singh.
Salman’s appointment as goodwill ambassador had kicked up a storm last week when star wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and sprint legend Milkha Singh questioned the move even though the IOA and some other athletes backed the decision.
Yogeshwar started the debate by tweeting that Salman has done nothing to merit such an appointment but the IOA stood firm on its decision and said that it would rope in more icons from cricket, music and other sports to motivate the Olympic contingent ahead of the Games in August.
The London Olympics bronze-medallist, Friday welcomed the IOA’s decision to rope in Bindra besides approaching Tendulkar. “I am very happy. Thank You IOA. Jai Hind,” Yogeshwar tweeted reacting to Bindra’s appointment. “I welcome IOA’s decision to rope in Sachin as brand ambassador,” he said in a tweet.