Our focus should be on winning medals and not on goodwill ambassadors: Akhil Kumar

Interview with Olympian boxer

The Indian Olympic Association's decision to appoint actor Salman Khan India's goodwill ambassador for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics has been met with fierce criticism. While some, including former cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Sourav Ganguly, have backed the move, saying that Khan will bring in greater visibility; others have come down heavily on IOA's decision to give a "non-athlete" an ambassadorial role for an event like the Olympics. Olympian boxer and former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Akhil Kumar talks to Dhruv Munjal about the raging controversy and the kind of message a move such as this sends out to athletes. Edited excerpts:

What do you make of Khan's appointment?

Quite frankly, I don't know what the fuss is all about. Throughout our sporting history, constant efforts have been made to popularise Olympic sports. And, the results haven't been the brightest. If the appointment of Khan helps promote sports in our country, then what's the harm? We need people to stand up and take notice, and follow Olympic disciplines just the way they follow cricket. We need numbers on our side and only someone with Khan's appeal can make that possible. Akshay Kumar was brand ambassador for the Premier Badminton League, Rana Daggubati for the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL); there was never a problem then.

Khan is 50 years old and yet continues to be a youth icon. There can be no greater testament to his popularity. Yes, this may reflect poorly on our society's ability to churn out heroes for the young, but there is no escaping the stark reality that the kind of popularity film stars enjoy is almost unparalleled. I'm sure Khan will help attract several more Indians to the concept of the Olympic Games and inspire youngsters to take up some form of sport. Only something good can come out of this.

Khan has always been a controversial figure. Had some other non-athlete been named in his place, would there have been less of an uproar?

In India, there is always controversy. They could have named anyone - athlete or non-athlete - and some people would have still been unhappy. If Sushil Kumar would been appointed ambassador, then some would have questioned why not Yogeshwar Dutt. Both are Olympic medallists at the end of the day. Others would have argued for the inclusion of Leander Paes. He has an Olympic medal to his name, has won tons of Grand Slams and has been representing India for more than 20 years. Why not him? So, this is a ludicrous debate. Since there is no particular criteria involved in such appointments, it would be unfair to conclude that one person is more deserving of the post than the other.

Do such appointments affect the athletes in any way?

When you go to the Olympic Games, there is too much at stake. And, issues like goodwill ambassadors is the last thing on your mind. Once you're in the thick of the action, you are just focussed on taking a medal home. An athlete is least bothered by such external factors. Sometimes I feel we place way too much significance on these things. Our focus should be on winning medals and not on goodwill ambassadors.

Khan's father, Salim, has said that Bollywood saved Milkha Singh from fading into oblivion by making a biopic on him.

Several people have come out and labelled his comments as disrespectful. However, there is some truth to what he has said. Among members of the sports fraternity, Singh was always a known figure. He was, after all, a legendary athlete. But Bhaag Milkha Bhaag took his story to the masses; people who had never heard about him got to know about his incredible struggle. So, Bollywood definitely played its part.

In the last few years, how big a role have film stars played in taking Indian sport forward?

Whether you like it or not, their influence has been immense. Cricket was bitten by the Bollywood bug a long time ago and other sports have followed. Just look at kabaddi. India had been winning World Cups and Asian Games gold medals in kabaddi for such a long time, but there were no takers for the sport. With film stars buying teams in the PKL, its following has sky-rocketed. Same with other sports such as wrestling and badminton. There is nothing wrong if famous film stars come out and promote a sport. We should be appreciating their efforts, not questioning them.