Yogeshwar Dutt pins down Salman Khan, sports fraternity divided – The Indian Express

Salman Khan was appointed as the goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent for Rio 2016. (Source: PTI)

Indian Olympic Association’s decision to make actor Salman Khan the goodwill ambassador for the Rio-bound contingent snowballed into a controversy after wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt questioned the logic. Many have joined the chorus, while several athletes feel it will help in generating hype for the Games.

“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 Singh, Hockey team captain

“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.”

Mary Kom, London Games bronze medallist boxer

“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!”

Abhinav Bindra, Beijing Olympics gold medallist, on twitter

“We are very happy and thankful on Salman’s offer to support Olympic Sports. This association does not include any monetary consideration. …our key objective of bringing him on board is to draw maximum attention from the masses, due to which there will be more eyeballs and viewership which will eventually result in popularising Olympic sports in the country.”

Rajeev Mehta, IOA secretary general

“I have nothing against Salman. He is doing a movie on wrestling which is a good thing as it will promote the sport. But when it comes to appointing an ambassador for the Olympics, there are several athletes who have done much more for sports than him. We have Sachin Tendulkar, Milkha Singh, PT Usha and Abhinav Bindra who have done a lot for the country.”

Yogeshwar Dutt,  London Games bronze medallist wrestler

“There is no dearth of athletes in our country. There is PT Usha, Sachin Tendulkar, so many who have done us proud. The public, however, loves filmstars and probably it was thought that it would help popularise Olympic sports.”

Krishna Poonia, Commonwealth Games gold medallist

“I am not against Salman Khan, but the decision of the IOA is wrong and the government should intervene in the matter. I want to ask has Bollywood ever made any sportsperson an ambassador for any of their mega event? I want that the decision to name Salman Khan as ambassador should be revised.”

Milkha Singh, Olympian

“No DOUBT Salman is one of the best faces of Bollywood and whatever he says sells. But in sports I feel sportsperson should be ambassador.”

Dhanraj Pillay, former hockey captain