Sachin keen to rally support for Rio-bound Indian athletes

"It will be my pleasure to meet our world-class athletes before they leave for Rio to learn about their experiences and preparations," said the former batting legend.

Sachin Tendulkar accepted IOA's invitation to be India's goodwill ambassador at the Rio Olympics

Sachin Tendulkar has offered to share his experience with the Rio-bound India athletes ahead of the Olympics. While making no reference to accepting any role offered by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Tendulkar has sought IOA’s plans about his involvement ahead of the marquee sports event, to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August.

“It will be my pleasure to meet these world-class athletes before they leave for Rio to learn about their experiences and preparations. I am also happy to be part of any awareness campaign that can rally the country around our athletes and motivate them, including amplifying their efforts and success on my Twitter and Facebook accounts,” Tendulkar wrote to IOA in a letter on Tuesday.

> Read: Sachin's Letter

The letter, addressed to IOA president N. Ramanchandran and secretary Rajeev Mehta, was a response to IOA’s letter on April 28, requesting him to be a goodwill ambassador for the Olympics.

After unveiling controversial actor Salman Khan as an ambassador, IOA has faced a lot of flak, which in a way prompted it to approach Tendulkar and Oscar-winning music composer A. R. Rahman.

However, Tendulkar has still not committed to any specific role offered to him. “I have mentioned the nature of the role as envisaged by me as I am keen to rally enhanced support for our champion athletes. I look forward to receiving details on your planned initiatives towards this objective,” he said in the letter.