×

Sachin Tendulkar accepts IOA’s invitation to become India’s goodwill ambassador for Rio Olympics 2016

Indian Olympics Association had sent invitation to Sachin Tendulkar on April 29 and were awaiting his confirmation for the same.

Sachin Tendulkar becomes the third Indian to be goodwill ambassador for Rio Olympics 2016 © AFP
Sachin Tendulkar becomes the third Indian to be goodwill ambassador for Rio Olympics 2016 © AFP

After all the hustle and bustle to find the right candidate as brand ambassador for Rio Olympics 2016, India cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar accepts invitation by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to be the country’s goodwill ambassador for the same. Tendulkar will be the third goodwill ambassador after Bollywood star Salman Khan and ace shooter Abhinav Bindra. IOA has confirmed on Tuesday of Tendulkar accepting the invitation. The association had sent across the invitation on April 29 and were awaiting his response for the same. The association are very happy to have a legendary cricketer on board this time. ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar wishes Rohit Sharma Happy Birthday

While speaking to PTI, IOA  Secretary General Rajiv Mehta said, “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.”IOA had also approached many other top sportperson out of which a lot of sportsmen were against having Salman Khan on board. Although, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly was in agreement with his inclusion as the the ambassador for Olympics 2o16. ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar approached by IOA as brand ambassador for Rio Olympics 2016

Apart from these personalities, IOA had also approached music composer AR Rahman including arestler Yugeshwar Dutt and former athlete Milkha Singh. Rahman is yet to confirm about his accepting the invitation. IOA secretary further added, “Mr. Rehman is yet to communicate to us but we are hopeful that he will also accept our invitation. These iconic sports-persons 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.”

trending this week