Ace Indian shooter Joydeep Karmakar criticized IOA's decision to appoint Salman Khan as Goodwill Ambassador for India in Rio. Image Source: Xtra Time[/caption]Internet Desk: Salman Khan’s appointment as goodwill ambassador of the Indian Olympic contingent has triggered a widespread criticism amongst the sporting fraternity in the country. The state Olympians led by Joydeep Karmakar, Gurbux Singh and Soma Biswas have come together to voice their opinion against IOA’s decision to appoint the Bollywood actor as the ambassador for Indian contingent in Rio.
Salman was named goodwill ambassador by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Saturday in the presence of star woman boxer M C Mary Kom, hockey captain Sardar Singh, and shooter Apurvi Chandela among others.
According to ace Indian shooter Joydeep Karmakar,"Salman Khan’s popularity as an actor cannot be doubted. But on a global sporting stage like the Olympics, I totally disagree with his appointment as Goodwill Ambassador. Olympics cannot be a platform for the actors.”
Joydeep, who narrowly missed a medal in London Olympics further added, “We see a lot of Bollywood celebrities these days for the promotion of sports. That serves the purpose of both the celebrities as well for the sports they are promoting. But I am sorry to say Olympics is not the stage to serve anyone’s purpose leave aside promotion.”
According to Joydeep, the athletes give their sweat and blood to earn a place for themselves to represent their country for the Olympics. He suggested that an actor like Salman Khan could have been used to promote the awareness among the common people for the mega event.“Celebrity like Salman Khan could have been used to promote the awareness among common people who are not aware of the Olympics. My only request to IOA officials is to restrain Salman from wearing the official apparel that the athletes will be wearing for their events. The athletes put in their sweat and blood to earn the national jersey and reach this stage. Salman Khan will not realize the sacrifices and hard work the athletes put in to get there.”
Salman, who is playing the role of a wrestler in his upcoming film Sultan, was named goodwill ambassador by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Saturday in the presence of star woman boxer M C Mary Kom, hockey captain Sardar Singh, and shooter Apurvi Chandela among others.
"Everybody has the right to promote movies in India, but Olympics is not a place to promote films. I hope the IOA officials are not giving the actor a platform to promote his film. With three months to go for the mega event ( time coincides with the release of Salman's new film Sultan), it's only going to raise doubts about his appointment.”
Joydeep further questioned IOA's role in appointing Salman for the role of Goodwill Ambassador.
"Why was he appointed at a time when you just have three months for the mega event. Will his appointment enhance the performance of the athletes in the Games?"
Veteran Olympian Gurbux Singh also voiced his opinion against Salman’s appointment as a goodwill ambassador for India in Rio.
According to Gurbux Singh, "I cannot accept such a decision. I consider it very humiliating for our athletes who have put in their best to reach a stage like the Olympics.When you have sporting legends like Milkha Singh and PT Usha, why are you not using them as ambassadors? They are much more deserving than Salman Khan. It only goes to prove we have a soft corner for film personalities.”
Another Olympian athlete from the state Soma Biswas feel, "We do not get the same recognition as the film stars receive in this country. There is no place for a sportsman in Bollywood, so why appoint an actor for the ambassador for a sporting event like the Olympics.”
“We have not got our due recognition from the federation. By appointing Salman as the ambassador for the Olympics, the IOA officials have once again proved their attitude towards the sportsman of the country.”
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