IOA ropes in Salman as Goodwill ambassador

Rs. 1 crore insurance package for each Rio-bound athlete

Salman Khan, who was the named goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent seen with (from left) Apurvi Chandela, Sardar Singh, M.C. Mary Kom, Ritu Rani and Manika Batra.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has signed actor Salman Khan as the goodwill ambassador for the Indian contingent bound for the Rio Olympics.

The announcement was made in the presence of Olympic medallists and Rio star athletes boxer M.C. Mary Kom, hockey captain Sardar Singh, and shooter Apurvi Chandela, among others.

“I am trying to go to Rio. Whether I go or not, we will do whatever we can on the digital platform,” said Salman Khan, as he answered questions from the media, underplaying his own sporting ability as “jack of all, and master of none.”

And, in its long-term goal towards becoming financially independent, the Indian Olympic Association has roped in three sponsors.

IOA’s principal sponsor for the Games, Edelweiss, already associated with a number of leading athletes, announced a life insurance package of Rs. 1crore for each of the Rio-bound athlete. It was also announced that Li-Ning would be the apparel partner.

Salman Khan on his part had no hesitation in saying that tennis ace Sania Mirza was his heroine of Indian sports and that he followed the heroics of boxer Vijender Singh and wrestler Sushil Kumar.

Asked about his message to the Indian contingent, Salman said, “ Kuch na kuch leke aao yaar (bring something).”

Can go to the next level

Applauding gymnast Dipa Karmakar’s qualification for the Olympics, Salman Khan said that if a girl from Tripura could achieve so much with so little, “we can go to the next level, if we have all the facilities and coaching by the right people.”

Salman Khan doubled up as an interviewer and asked Mary Kom what she would do for the country, or at least for sports, as a Rajya Sabha member.

Five-time World champion and Olympic medallist, Mary Kom said it was a great honour for her to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha and assured that she would do her best for all athletes and not just boxing.

“At the moment I am focused on gaining qualification for the Olympics.

The World Championship is in May,” Mary Kom pointed out.

IOA secretary-general Rajeev Mehta said 75 athletes had already qualified and many more were expected to qualify for the Rio Olympics.