Gautam Gambhir joined the bandwagon led by Milkha Singh and champion wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt who have expressed unhappiness at the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) nominating actor Salman Khan as the Indian contingent’s Goodwill Ambassador for the Rio Olympics.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain was categorical that someone like Abhinav Bindra should have been named the ambassador.
Speaking at a promotional event organised here by Sansui, which is associated with KKR, Gambhir said: “I believe in that as well (sportspersons and people’s sentiment), especially when there is no shortage of real sportsmen in this country; and those who have done massive things for the country and for the sport.
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“I would have been happy, if someone like an Abhinav Bindra or someone else had been made the goodwill ambassador.”
He went on to say that sportspersons did not need publicity.
“Sportsmen play because they want to do something for the country. Movies made on sportsman and stuff like that does not give any excitement to sportsmen. Personally a sportsperson would have been a much better choice.
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“Obviously Abhinav Bindra because he is the first to win an individual Olympic gold medal for India.
“He would have been the ideal choice. I heard someone saying that sportspersons need publicity and need Bollywood. I think it’s the other way around.’’