Yogeshwar slams Salman's appointment as goodwill ambassador

Bollywood star Salman Khan’s appointment as the Indian Olympic contingent’s goodwill ambassador has not gone down well with star wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, who feels a sportsperson should have been chosen for the role.

Salman, who is playing the role of a wrestler in his upcoming film ‘Sultan’, was named goodwill ambassador by the Indian Olympic Association yesterday in the presence of star woman boxer M C Mary Kom, hockey captain Sardar Singh, and shooter Apurvi Chandela among others.

Yogeshwar, the London Olympics bronze-medallist, said he cannot understand what purpose such an appointment will serve for the athletes.

“Everybody has the right to promote movies in India, but Olympics is not a place to promote films. “ Yogeshwar tweeted in Hindi.

“Can anyone tell me what is the role of goodwill ambassador? Why are you fooling the public?” he added.

The 33-year-old felt a sportsperson would have been more apt for the position.

“Sportspersons like PT Usha and Milkha Singh strived hard for the nation during difficult times. But what has this ambassador done in sports.

“What will happen by the appointment of an ambassador? If you had to do this drama, then why not appoint a sportsperson?” he asked.

“The country needs medals, not sponsors.”

However, Mary Kom and Sardar had yesterday backed Salman’s appointment, saying that it would help motivate the athletes training for the quadrennial extravaganza in Rio de Janeiro in August.