Guwahati, Oct. 30: Veteran actor Nipon Goswami was today dragged into a controversy after being tagged “brand ambassador” for the National Games publicity campaign by the event managers of a public rally held to mark the 100-day countdown.

The compere addressed Goswami as the brand ambassador without the consent of the organisers. Later, the AOA requested him to appeal for co-operation from the public.

Arjuna award-winner Bhogeswar Barua, international athlete Tayabun Nisha and Pramila Bharali stood as spectators when Goswami, flanked by filmstars Barsha Rani Bishaya and Nishita Goswami, made the appeal.

Organising committee secretary general V.S. Bhaskar and AOA secretary Mukut Medhi have expressed ignorance about any resolution appointing Goswami as the brand ambassador.

“If the AOA wants Goswami to be a brand ambassador, we would welcome it, but nothing has been finalised. Ideally, we would look for three brand ambassadors,” Bhaskar said.

Medhi, however, said the AOA had not adopted any such resolution and termed it as a “mistake” by the announcer.

The announcer also said the Games were awarded to Guwahati in 2000, instead of in 2002, and wrongly attributed the inauguration of the Sarusajai stadium to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The event management firm, headed by self-styled co-ordinator of the AOA Asomee Dutta Baruah, claimed it was an informal resolution of the association. “It was my suggestion which the office bearers of the AOA readily agreed to,” she said.

AOA vice-president Leela Gogoi, secretary Medhi, joint secretaries Anup Choudhury and Bhumidhar Barman and other officials expressed ignorance about any such development. A public apology has been sought from the event managers and announcer for the faux pas.