Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar accepted Indian Olympic Association’s invitation to become the nation’s goodwill ambassador for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
He will be representing the country alongside ace shooter Abhinav Bindra and Bollywood star Salman Khan. Salman’s appointment created uproar in the country after Olympic bronze medal winning wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and former athlete Milkha Singh expressed their discontent towards the decision.
Thus the IOA had approached Bindra, Tendulkar and celebrated music composer AR Rahman.
Tendulkar on Tuesday wrote a letter to IOA President N Ramachandran and Mehta, confirming his support for the Rio-bound athletes and expressed willingness to meet the Indian contingent before it departs for Brazil.
“It will be my pleasure to meet these world-class athletes before they leave for Rio to learn their experience and preparations. I am also happy to be part of any awareness campaign that can rally the country around our athletes and motivate them, including amplifying their efforts and success on my Twitter and Facebook accounts,” Tendulkar said.
Thanking the two IOA officials for the letter Tendulkar wrote: “I have had the privilege and honour of representing our nation for 24 years and I continue to bat for India off the field. The welfare of sportspersons and encouraging them to give their best is very dear to me. I strongly believe that the sportspersons from different parts of the country, pursuing their unique skills, are the true ambassadors of the growing sporting culture in the country. Awareness about their struggles, discipline and single-minded focus will help develop many more world beating champions and encourage passionate following of the Olympics in our country.”