03 June,2016 06:09 PM IST | | mid-day online correspondent
Nita Ambani has been nominated to the International Olympic Committee from India -- in the process becoming the first Indian woman to get the honour. But Twitterverse saw a chance to take a dig at her
Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, has been nominated for membership in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and will become the first Indian woman to be on the apex sporting body if she gets elected at the IOC session scheduled from August 2 to 4.
The Switzerland-based IOC is the supreme authority of the Olympic Movement and is responsible for holding of the summer and winter Olympics and Paralympics.
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Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, has been nominated for membership in the International Olympic Committee
"Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation has been nominated as a candidate to be a new member, pending election, of the IOC," a statement said.
The independent selection process follows a new procedure for recruitment of IOC members based on the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations. Once elected, she will continue to be a member until the age of 70.
She is the first Indian woman to be nominated to the International Olympic Committee and it is a recognition of her work in the area of education and sports, especially grassroots initiatives in India from football to basketball.
Ambani is the first Indian woman to be nominated to the IOC.
Sir Dorabji Tata was the first Indian representative in the IOC while Raja Randhir Singh is currently a honorary member of the IOC and he was a member from 2000-2014.
Technically, as per the Olympic Charter and the IOC rules, the category under which Ambani is being considered is the one for volunteers who represent the IOC and Olympic Movement in their country. They are not delegates of their country within the IOC.
She is the wife of Reliance Industries Limited Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani. She is also the chairperson of Indian Super League football tournament, Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians and founding Chairperson of Football Sports Development.
While many people, including celebs congratulated her, there were some on Twitterverse who took the opportunity to take potshots.
Here are some of the reactions on Nita Ambani's nomination:
