Indian Olympic Association approaches Sachin Tendulkar to be brand ambassador, Salman Khan stays

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has reportedly approached batting legend Sachin Tendulkar to be the brand ambassador for the Indian contingent at the upcoming Rio Olympics 2016. This comes just a week after Bollywood actor Salman Khan was announced as the goodwill ambassador for the country.

Speaking to the media, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) vice president Tarlochan Singh confirmed that they have sent a formal request to Tendulkar while also stressing the fact that Khan will remain goodwill ambassador.

"We are in communication with Sachin Tendulkar and A R Rahman to become brand ambassadors of the Indian Olympic contingent. We are yet to get their reply. We will rope in more people, Salman Khan will also remain."

Khan's appointment as goodwill ambassador created controversy with a number of athletes and fans criticising the IOA's decision, asking why an actor with no ties to the sport was chosen over a number of deserving athletes.

Ace India running legend Milkha Singh said: "I am of the view that our sportspersons, be those from shooting, athletics, volleyball or other sports, they are the real ambassadors of India who would represent the country in Olympics. Still if we had to pick an ambassador, it could have been from a sporting world," as quoted by india.com.

The batting legend who turned 43 on 24 April, has always supported other sportspersons in India and his inclusion will be a masterstroke which is sure to boost the confidence of the athletes who will travel to Rio de Janeiro. He even played a key role in revoking Indian boxer Sarita Devi's suspension after the 2014 Asian Games.

The IOA has also approached ace music composer Rahman and 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra to be ambassadors with the sports ministry keen on adding more people who will help promote the profile of the Olympics in the country.