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Olympics is not a place to promote films: Yogeshwar
The decision to name Salman as ambassador should be revised: Milkha
Bollywood star Salman Khan's appointment as the Indian Olympic contingent's goodwill ambassador has not gone down well with star wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, who feels a sportsperson should have been chosen for the role.
Salman, who is playing the role of a wrestler in his upcoming film Sultan, was named goodwill ambassador by the Indian Olympic Association on Saturday in the presence of star woman boxer M C Mary Kom, hockey captain Sardar Singh, and shooter Apurvi Chandela among others.
Yogeshwar, the London Olympics bronze-medallist, said he cannot understand what purpose such an appointment will serve for the athletes.
"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 the role of goodwill ambassador is? 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."
However, Mary Kom and Sardar had backed Salman's appointment, saying that it would help motivate the athletes training for the quadrennial extravaganza in Rio de Janeiro in August.
Milkha, who won gold in 1958 and 1962 Asian Games, said the fact that no Indian sportsperson had been picked up as ambassador saddened him.
"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 said.
"I want that the decision to name Salman Khan as ambassador should be revised," he said.
The sentiment was echoed by the likes of former hockey star Dhanraj Pillay.
"I would like to see a sportsperson as brand ambassador. We have legendary players such as Milkha Singh, P T Usha, Abhinav Bindra. No doubt Salman is one of the best faces of Bollywood and whatever he says sells. But in sports I feel sportperson should be ambassador," Pillay said.
Former Indian marathon runner Sunita Godara also opposed the move terming it is a huge insult for sports champions.
"I got to hear that Salman Khan has been appointed as the Goodwill Brand Ambassador for Rio Olympics. Firstly, I want to know what goodwill he has done for sports? Secondly, when we have so many Olympic medallists available then why he was chosen as the ambassador," Godara said.
"It is humiliating for the champions, who are going into the Olympics. We have champions. There many more prominent sports personalities capable enough to be named the brand ambassador. Choosing a celebrity as the brand ambassador is an insult for sports champions," she added.
The IOA, however, backed the decision.
"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.
The IOA also got backing of Sardar and Mary Kom, who felt that the Bollywood celebrity's mass appeal will help raise awareness about Olympic sports ahead of the Games in Rio de Janeiro in August.
"Salman has a huge fan base. He has good views on sports and it's a good thing for Indian sports that he has come on board. A lot of people are getting connected to Olympic sports because of him. (But) People are entitled to their views. I respect their opinion," Sardar said.
"It hasn't happened before; it's a good thing for the athletes. It's good for us to have a brand ambassador like him," opined Mary Kom, a bronze-medallist from the 2012 London Olympics.
Commonwealth Games gold-medallist discus thrower Krishna Poonia said although an athlete would have been a better choice, Salman's popularity is undeniable.
"There is no dearth of athletes in our country. There is P T Usha, Sachin Tendulkar, so many who have done us proud. The public, however, loves film stars and probably it was thought that it would help popularise Olympic sports. I wish all the luck in his new role," Poonia said.
India's first and only individual Olympic gold-medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra backed the IOA's decision to appoint Salman.
"Dear @BeingSalmanKhan, am sure you will use your tremendous goodwill to help Indian Olympic Sport and Olympic athletes in their pursuit towards excellence.
"Congratulations on being appointed ambassador of the Indian Olympic Team! An absolute honour which comes with great responsibility!" the ace marksman said in a series of tweets.