Enlarge Image
While Milkha Singh blasts the actor’s appointment as Olympian Ambassador...
Subhash K Jha (DNA; April 26, 2016)

Enlarge ImageMilkha Singh and a few other sportspersons spoke up against Salman Khan’s appointment as India’s goodwill ambassador to the Rio Olympics. But Olympian wrestler Sangram Singh is all for Salman. Says Sangram, “Why not Salman Khan? He is a superstar — not only in India, but all over the world. If his name is associated with sports, it is bound to benefit all sports activities in India.”

Sangram disagrees with fellow-wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt who has criticised Salman’s selection for the Olympian honour. “It’s unrealistic and impractical to ask, ‘Why Bollywood stars and not sportspersons to promote sports? The answer is very simple. Bollywood stars are much more popular and they have a far wider reach than us, sports persons.” Sangram is happy as long as sports and sporting activities are promoted. “When Bollywood’s superstars associate their names with sporting activities, the latter benefits, as hockey benefitted after Shah Rukh Khan did Chak De! or kabaddi and football benefit when Abhishek Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor are involved.”

Sangram doesn’t doubt Salman’s sincerity. “If he has said he will serve as the goodwill ambassador for sporting activities, he will put his heart and soul in it. I’ve been associated with him when I was in Bigg Boss. He really cares for causes.’

However, Sangram is not too sure if Salman’s team would allow him to do the elected work properly. “It’s the people around him who distract his attention. He is made to be involved in too many activities at the same time. But I am hopeful.”