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Salman to be goodwill ambassador at Rio

By The Assam Tribune

NEW DELHI, April 23: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was on Saturday unveiled as the goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent for the Rio Olympics to be held later this year.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which made the announcement at its headquarters here, chose Salman from a list of two to three candidates which also included Shah Rukh Khan and veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan.

However, the IOA reportedly chose Salman as he is considered to be more connected with the youth and is known to be a sports enthusiast. The 50-year-old is a youth icon and an inspiration for bodybuilding fans across the country.

His latest film �Sultan� is a sports-drama which sees Salman in the role of a wrestler who rises from small town origins to achieve international success.

�We welcome Salman Khan as the goodwill 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 also help motivate the players to do well in the Olympics. We are sure our association with Salman Khan will go a long way,� IOA president N Ramachandran said in a statement.

This is the first time that a Bollywood superstar will be a goodwill ambassador for the Indian contingent at the Olympics.

A host of sports stars including MC Mary Kom, Sardar Singh, Ritu Rani, Deepika Kumari, Apurvi Chandela and Manika Batra were also present on the occasion.

Praising the sportspersons for their hard work and dedication, Salman hoped that they will be able to win medals at the Olympics.

�I am honoured that Indian Olympic Association has chosen me as the goodwill ambassador for the Indian contingent for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. It is a matter of great national pride that our athletes are performing better and better at the Olympic Games and I think we should all join hands in giving them every support and cheer for them so that Rio 2016 becomes our best Olympic tally.

�They are extremely talented and hard working. They are not here due to anybody�s recommendation. They are here because they are the best in the country. That is the reason why they are going to the Olympics,� the actor told reporters.

�Kuch na kuch zaroor leke aana (Please bring something from the Olympics),� the �Dabang� star added in a lighter note when asked to give a message to the members of the Indian Olympic squad.

Salman also called for more appreciation and public interest in non-cricket sports, adding that he may visit Rio during the Olympics in order to cheer for Indian athletes.

�Olympic sports don�t get enough viewership as compared to cricket. It�s not cricket�s fault but our fault for not watching. They need our support. I will try to go to Rio for a while if not for full duration,� he said. � IANS

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