Internet Desk: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has been chosen as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Indian contingent for the 2016 Rio Olympics.This will be the first time that a Bollywood superstar will be a goodwill ambassador for the national squad for as big an event likes the Summer Olympics.
The announcement was made in Delhi in front of sporting stars like MC Mary Kom, Sardar Singh, Ritu Rani, Deepika Kumari,Apurvi Chandela and Manika Batra.
A sports enthusiast Salman has been involved with the grassroots football development with IMG-R. The actor was also seen at Pro-Kabaddi league matches in July last year for the match between U Mumba and Puneri Paltan.The Bollywood star has also been linked to the Indian Super League football team FC Pune City.
Speaking on this new association with Indian Olympic Association Mr. Salman Khan said “I am grateful to the Indian Olympic Association for having chosen me as the brand ambassador for Indian Contingent and it gives me great pride and honour to support Indian athletes participating in the Rio Olympic Games. I am happy that our medal tally in Olympics has been increasing from 2008 onwards, in 2004 we got only one medal while in 2008 our medal tally reached 3 and in 2012 our medal tally was doubled to 6. This time I am confident that our athletes will bring back from Rio more than double the medals we have won in 2012 London Olympics. I wish the very best to all the sportspersons and will be waiting to welcome them when they comeback with medals from Rio”.
Commenting on the announcement Mr. N Ramachandran, President Indian Olympic Association said “We welcome Salman Khan as the Brand Ambassador of the Indian Contingent for Rio Olympics and his association is in line with our focus to create the required excitement in the country. His association will not only attract sports lovers but even excite the players to do well in the Olympics. We are sure our association with Salman Khan will go a long way”
Salman will be seen as a wrestler in his upcoming film “Sultan” The Summer Games will take place in the Brazilian capital between August 5th and 21st.