NEW DELHI:

Shrugging off controversy over being part of the Olympic torch rally as brand ambassador for the Lenovo group, Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan says while he favours the Tibetan cause, the world of sports and politics should ideally be kept apart.

“My reasons for running are to honour my commitments as brand ambassador for the Lenovo group, one of the sponsors of the Olympics,” said Saif, who is among those carrying

the torch on April 17 in the capital.

“Maybe I’m being idealistic. But we have issues with Pakistan over Kashmir, and we still play cricket with them. It’s good that the cause of Tibet is highlighted, but in a perfect world, sport and politics would remain separate. The Dalai Lama himself has said he is supporting the Olympics.”

A number of the country’s celebrities from sports and films, including Saif’s sister Soha Ali Khan, have pulled out of the Indian leg of the globe trotting ritual. “It’s a personal issue. My

sister, for example, is not supporting this and I respect her decision.” — HNS