Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra have agreed to become India's goodwill ambassadors for 2016 Rio Olympics. Indian Olympics Association has even approached music maestro AR Rahman for the post but he has yet responded to the approach. The IOA initiative came after superstar Salman Khan's appointment as goodwill ambassador created furore, with top athletes like Milkha Singh and Yogeshwar Dutt criticising the move.
"Received a letter from the president and secretary general of the IOA inviting me to be a goodwill ambassador. I am humbled that they thought I am worthy enough for this honour," Bindra said in a statement.
"I respectfully accept this with gratitude. I have lived my life for the Olympic Games and have always done my best to work for the betterment of the Olympic movement in India and I will continue. While my focus will be to perform at Rio, I will be writing to every member of the Indian Olympic team and offering them any help they may want."
"We are in communication with Rahman to become brand ambassadors of the Indian Olympic contingent. We are yet to get his reply," said Indian Olympic Association (IOA) vice president Tarlochan Singh. "We will rope in more people. Salman Khan will also remain," he added.
