NEW DELHI: After Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and Bharat Ratna winner cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, now Oscar winning music composer A.R. Rahman joins Indian contingent for the Rio Olympics as goodwill ambassador.

The Indian Olympic Association on Thursday received an official written confirmation from Rahman.

Rahman said, “It’s absolutely an honour and my pleasure to be a goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent scheduled for August 2016.”

Welcoming Rahman as goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent, Rajeev Mehta, the secretary general of the IOA, said, “I would like to welcome Rahman on board as a goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent for Rio Olympics. It’s our privilege to have the Oscar winning living legend-music composer on board to spread awareness and promote the Olympic movement.

“As per our plan to reach out to maximum people in the country for Olympic sports, we are happy that Mr Rahman has come forward from the field of music to support our athletes. I am sure he will inspire our sportspersons.”

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2016