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Salman Khan's selection as Olympics ambassador is making some people unhappy
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Salman Khan's selection as Olympics ambassador is making some people unhappy

Singh expressed his reservations about actors as ambassadors and Khan reminded him it was films that revived his legacy
Images Staff
Updated 27 Apr, 2016

A war of words has erupted between Indian athletics legend Milkha Singh and Bollywood veteran Salim Khan, whose superstar son Salman was announced as the goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent for the upcoming summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August, reports Indian Express.

Salman's selection was criticised by several members of the Indian sports fraternity, including Milkha Singh and 2012 London Olympics wrestling bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt.

Salim Khan responded to the criticism by reminding Milkha Singh that it was films that revived his legacy in the Indian consciousness:

Salim was referring to Farhan Akhtar-starring biopic on Milkha Singh, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, which was a huge hit in 2013.

In true parental fashion, he also informed Twitter about Salman's sports accomplishments:

Milkha Singh, on the other hand, has responded to Salim Khan's comments by saying that the movie industry hasn’t done any favour by making a film on him.

“It’s okay they have made a film on me. I don’t think that the movie industry has made a favour to me by making a film on my life.

“If they have any function, will they put any sportsmen as their chairman or ambassador? I gave my story for Re.1 and it is not a little thing. The movie made crores.

“If Salman Khan’s father is saying that Milkha Singh has said anything wrong, then I don’t agree to it, because the entire nation is saying that I am right and they are with me,” Singh was quoted as saying by Times Now news channel.

He reiterated that actors need not be ambassadors of athletic or sports contingents:

“The IOA should have thought of what’s the need of the ambassador. I’m saying that the team who all are going whether it is shooting, wrestling, boxing or athletics, they all are our ambassadors. Out of 120 crore people in India, they have been our ambassador then what is the need of any other ambassador?

“It doesn’t make sense to appoint someone in this role. If an ambassador is required, we have many great sportspersons, like Sachin Tendulkar, P.T. Usha, Ajitpal Singh, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore,” he added.

Comments

AKNasser Apr 27, 2016 01:33pm
Why not Sania Mirza who brought fame to India in tennis ? These celluloid , make believe heroes have no right to represent India as goodwill ambassador.
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Optimistic Pakistani Apr 27, 2016 02:00pm
Salman Khan is a perfect fit for an ambassador, an absolute heart throb. Ambassador can be anyone from the public not necessary a sports person.. he hasn't got any position to make any decisions. Bollywood can make Tendulkar as their ambassador so would that affect the industry in any way.
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Bob Apr 27, 2016 02:43pm
I think salman khan has no business to be the ambassador of india at the Olympics. These filmi folks want to put their head in everything. Govt should appoint somebody from the sports field for this job.
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wellwisher Apr 27, 2016 03:49pm
personally, I feel the people who failed to die when over run by driverless car, while sleeping on a footpath in Mumbai( some people say like dogs) will make better ambassador in Rio.
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divergence Apr 27, 2016 05:56pm
These overrated bollywood stardom
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vikram Apr 27, 2016 07:11pm
Next Alia Bhatt is going to represent the scientific community of India.
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Ashutosh Mishra Apr 27, 2016 09:07pm
Salim Khan sahib Milkhaji has a legacy constructed, whether your film or anyone else's draws a newer generation to it, well it is praiseworthy. However, ultimately, the legacy creator and establisher not the restorer for a subsequent generation who is great. And of course, the dogs that got crushed under the wheel of your son's car and so described by one of his acolytes, and incidentally, the unfortunate fellow was a Muslim, well, can't we have somebody totally uncontroversial within our country from the sports stable, may she be Mary Kom, Sania Mirza, or Saina Nehwal, P. V. Sindhu, or Sushil Pehalwan, or any other; but must be a sports guy.. Sorry, I'm a purist, keel good men nachane gain wales ka koi karma nahin...
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Truth Apr 27, 2016 10:17pm
Completely agree with Milka. There is no need for an ambassador. And if one is needed then it should be sports person. This all seems like some kind of corrupt adventure by Salman
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Vivek Apr 27, 2016 10:45pm
No Salman shouldn't be chosen as Olympic ambassador.
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Fried Chillies Apr 28, 2016 06:09am
Salim saheb your comment about Bollywood reviving Milkha Singh and preventing him from going into oblivion smack of extremely poor taste on many counts. Salman maybe a free man today but you and him both know the truth about the incident. He is the last person who should 'represent' India or Indian values. I would say why not Javed saheb your contemporary. But then I would be wrong since its Olympics something associated with sports. In our country that is obsessed wrongly with only cricket as a sport it would be humiliating to other sportsmen if Salman is selected
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Fried Chillies Apr 28, 2016 06:12am
@Optimistic Pakistani Tendulkar too would be a bad choice. Sports in India should not be defined by cricket. There is Abhinav Bindra, Mary Kom, Archers, PT Usha, Women Weight lifters, athletes, Shuttlers, Billiard players, Hockey stars many to choose from
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Satish Raina Apr 28, 2016 12:36pm
Yes, why not Sania Mirza; Yes, why not PT Usha; Yes, why not even Milkha Singh and so many other outstanding sports personalities?
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