In a bid to bring in more support from the nation for the nation’s Olympic mission, the Indian Olympic Association has brought in the Cricket Legend as the third Goodwill Ambassador for the Rio headed Indian Contingent. The IOA has planned to bring AR Rehman as the fourth Ambassador for which it is still in discussions with the music maestro.
The National Olympic Committee of India, IOA is leaving no stone untouched to aim at a greater audience for Indian Olympians and in a way to its goal of spreading Sports culture to far and wide of the country.
For the invitation sent on April 29 this year, the highest Olympic Body of the country got an acceptance from the Batting maestro today. Earlier, IOA started bringing in support from other industries when it brought in Bollywood Superstar Salman Khan in as the first Goodwill Ambassador in this episode. This move, however, was criticized and there was a huge uproar about Salman’s appointment asking why they couldn’t bring anyone from sports to be a Goodwill Ambassador.
As per the news running in media, Sachin had expressed his happiness for the honor given and he would do anything to promote sports in the country.
Speaking about the development, the IOA Secretary General, Rajeev Mehta said, while interacting with PTI, “Sachin Tendulkar has accepted our request to become goodwill ambassador of Indian contingent at the Olympics. We have received the official communication from him accepting our request.”
“We are very happy to have an iconic sportsperson like Mr Tendulkar on board as goodwill ambassador. We are thankful to him. We hope his association and the association of other goodwill ambassadors will take Indian sport forward,” he added further.
Earlier today, Sachin wrote a letter to IOA President N Ramachandran and Mehta, confirming his support for the Indian Contingent for Rio and expressed willingness to meet the athletes before they leave for Brazil.
Sachin, speaking about the role, said,”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.”
Further, The greatest cricketing icon 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.”
He also appreciated the efforts of these sportspersons by his statement,”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.”
“I have mentioned the nature of the role as envisaged by me as I am keen to rally enhanced support for our champion athletes. I look forward to receiving details on your planned initiatives towards this objective. My best wishes to the entire contingent as we look forward to them proudly expressing themselves in Rio,” he concluded.
Speaking about the role of these Goodwill Ambassadors, Mehta said: “These iconic sportspersons and celebrities will spread the idea of Olympic movement in every nook and corner of the country, every village, block and city of India.”They will help in building up a sporting culture in this country. We need a sporting culture if we want to become a sporting country,” he concluded.