Salman Khan's father Salim Khan has slammed former Indian sprinter Milkha Singh for his opposition to Salman's appointment as goodwill ambassador for India's 2016 Rio Olympics campaign.

"We have so many sportspersons in this country who have brought laurels in their respective fields. They have given their blood and sweat in order to shine for their country. Don't those people deserve a chance? Why should they send a Bollywood actor as the ambassador? We have so many jewels in our country in the field of sports like PT Usha, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Ajit Pal Singh. There are so many others who have won a gold medal for India at the international level," Milkha Singh had commented.

In response, Salim Khan tweeted the following:

Milkhaji it is not Bollywood it is the Indian Film Industry and that too the largest in the world. — Salim Khan (@luvsalimkhan) April 25, 2016

Salim reminded Milkha that the Bollywood movie on him is what prevented him from being forgotten by history.

The same industry which resurrected you from fading away in oblivion April 25, 2016

He also made Milkha Singh aware of Salman Khan's credentials:

Salman khan may not have competed but is an A level swimmer cyclist and weight lifter — Salim Khan (@luvsalimkhan) April 25, 2016

And then he reminded Milkha why sportspersons achieve success in India:

Sportsmen are performing because of sports lovers like us. — Salim Khan (@luvsalimkhan) April 25, 2016

The Indian Olympic Associations's decision to appoint Salman Khan as goodwill ambassador for Rio has been fiercely opposed by some sportspersons like Yogeshwar Dutt and Milkha Singh. However, MC Mary Kom has come out in support of it.

IOA vice president Tarlochan Singh had on Sunday defended the decision.

Earlier on Monday, yesteryear star actress Hema Malini had also come out in support of Salman Khan on the issue.