Salman Khan support for Rio-bound athletes

Goodwill ambassador of the Indian team for the Rio Olympics, Salman Khan, poses with M.C. Mary Kom at a function in New Delhi on Saturday. (Photo: Biplab Banerjee)

The Indian Olympic Association on Saturday named Bollywood superstar Salman Khan as goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this August

At a function here on Saturday, the IOA also named their principal sponsors in presence of men’s hockey captain Sardar Singh, Olympic bronze medallist M.C. Mary Kom, CWG gold medallist Apurvi Chandela, table tennis player Manika Batra and women’s hockey skipper Ritu Rani.

“We welcome Salman Khan as goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent for Rio Games and his association is in line with our focus to create the required excitement in the country”, said IOA president N. Ramachandran.

“I am honoured that the IOA has chosen me as goodwill ambassador. It is a matter of great national pride that our athletes are performing better and better at the Olympic Games and I think we should all join hands in giving them every support and cheer for them so that Rio 2016 becomes our best Olympic tally,” a beaming Salman said.

“I am very proud to have qualified (for Rio). It’s my first time, so I’ll give my best there to achieve a medal. I am happy with the support Olympic sports are getting from the non-sporting quarters like this one”, said table tennis player Manika.

India’s women hockey players have qualified for the Olympics after a gap of 36 years.

“It was a dream for all of us to qualify for the Olympics. Now, we want to go and perform well and bring laureals for the country. The more we improve, the better it is for us”, said skipper Ritu Rani.

London bronze medallist Mary Kom is looking forward to the final qualifying tournament in Astana, Kazakhstan in May.

The veteran boxer said that she was ready to put her best foot forward at the event.