Published: Jun 06, 2016, 05:49 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 06, 2016, 05:59 PM (IST)
Bollywood icon Salman Khan found himself in the middle of a controversy when he was recently appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Rio Olympics 2016. Many people questioned his selection because of which Salman was disappointed and also said that why media is targeting him? Indian legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar along with ace music composer AR Rahman were also selected as the Goodwill Ambassadors but no fingers were raised to their appointment. He also expressed his grief by saying that the others should have also received the similar amount of coverage by the media which eventually didn’t happen. READ MORE: The media needs to stop highlighting every little situation, says Umar Akmal
Salman also said that he is not doing this for the promotion of his upcoming film and eyes to give more importance to the Olympics and also said nation is more important than Olympics. READ MORE: Ajinkya Rahane: 15 facts about the classy Indian batsman
Salman was quoted by Zee News speaking to Hindustan Times, “After me, who all have been made goodwill ambassadors? Sachin [Tendulkar], AR Rahman and Abhinav Bindra, right? So, did that [the news of them being roped in] start off well or mine? The media should have done the same thing [come strong on the other goodwill ambassadors] when Sachin and Rahman were roped in. Why didn’t that happen? Why did the media not give them the same kind of coverage they gave me? In their case, too, while one isn’t a sportsperson, the other one has only played one sport.” READ MORE: Virender Sehwag takes a dig at Pakistan; requests their fans not to break TV sets
“Does Rahman need a state-level certificate or a national-level medal to be called a sportsperson? In fact, are all kids, who have tried out certain sports but haven’t won a medal, not sportspersons? Aren’t all the kids or other persons, who like and follow a particular sports sportspersons? If they are, then why just pick on me?”
“Some people say, ‘He [Salman] has court cases [against him].’ So, you have issues with one person, who has court cases, becoming the Olympics goodwill ambassador. But there are so many big politicians who have court cases [against them]. So, desh zyaada important hai ya Olympics [is Olympics more important than the nation]? Mere liye toh desh [for me, the nation] is most important . So, I am ready to leave it [the ambassadorship for Rio Olympics], if you [politicians] also leave [your positions in the government]. There are so many people, who have [cases of] scams, corruption and even rapes, but they are still there [on important posts].”
