Diversified financial services major Edelweiss Group has been chosen by the Indian Olympics Association (IOA) as the principal sponsor for the Indian contingent at the upcoming Rio Olympics in August this year.

Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance will, among other things, offer a Life Insurance cover of Rs 1 crore for each athlete representing India at the Rio Olympics, the IOA announced on Saturday at a press conference here.

IOA also announced that Bollywood superstar Salman Khan as the Brand Ambassador of the Indian contingent for the Rio Olympics.

This is the first time in the history of IOA that a brand ambassador has been appointed from Bollywood. The association between IOA and Salman Khan has been initiated by IOS Sports & Entertainment, Official agency of Indian Olympic Association.

The announcements were made in the presence of Olympic medalist M C Mary Kom (Olympic medalist boxer), and Rio Olympic qualified athletes Sardar Singh, Captain of the India Men’s Hockey Team and Ritu Rani, Captain of the India Women’s Hockey Team.

Rujan Panjwani, Executive Director, Edelweiss Financial Services, said this association with the Olympics is a seamless and compelling fit for Edelweiss group.

“Just as high performance and excellence, are key focus in sports, so is it for us at Edelweiss. An athlete rises to excel in their chosen field through years of commitment, rigorous practice, and consistent high performance, which are also the qualities that we value at Edelweiss”, Panjwani told Business Line.

Panjwani said that Edelweiss has had a long and consistent association with sports and through its philanthropic arm, EdelGive Foundation, supported various sports personalities including M C Mary Kom, P V Sindhu and Ayonika Paul amongst others. Last year, the Group signed Saina Nehwal as its Brand Ambassador.

Srivats.kr@thehindu.co.in

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