Thiruvananthapuram: A day after being extensively trolled on social media for his gaffe describing late legendary boxer Muhammad Ali as a Keralite, Sports Minister EP Jayarajan today admitted to his "mistake."
In a Facebook post, the minister, who was mauled on social media, said "a mistake is a mistake" and hoped the state's enlightened people and sports personalities would understand his folly.
Soon after reports of Mr Ali's passing away broke on Saturday, a Malayalam television channel had contacted the minister for a condolence message.
Explaining the circumstances that led to the mistake, Mr Jayarajan said he was on his way to attend a function on Saturday when he was called by the television channel for his reaction. The person who called him said "our Muhammad Ali died in America. He has won several gold medals," and that he should give a condolence message, Mr Jayarajan said.
"I was not aware that the channel wanted my reaction for the death of Muhammad Ali, the boxing champion and a US citizen, who had left the sporting arena 40 years ago. That matter did not come to my mind also.I thought it was some veteran sportsperson of Kerala who had passed away," Mr Jayarajan, a CPI(M) central committee member, said.
The minister said, generally when he is contacted for reaction, the news desk of the concerned channel gives a brief about the subject. But no such thing happened this time.
In a Facebook post, the minister, who was mauled on social media, said "a mistake is a mistake" and hoped the state's enlightened people and sports personalities would understand his folly.
Soon after reports of Mr Ali's passing away broke on Saturday, a Malayalam television channel had contacted the minister for a condolence message.
Explaining the circumstances that led to the mistake, Mr Jayarajan said he was on his way to attend a function on Saturday when he was called by the television channel for his reaction. The person who called him said "our Muhammad Ali died in America. He has won several gold medals," and that he should give a condolence message, Mr Jayarajan said.
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"I was not aware that the channel wanted my reaction for the death of Muhammad Ali, the boxing champion and a US citizen, who had left the sporting arena 40 years ago. That matter did not come to my mind also.I thought it was some veteran sportsperson of Kerala who had passed away," Mr Jayarajan, a CPI(M) central committee member, said.
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The minister said, generally when he is contacted for reaction, the news desk of the concerned channel gives a brief about the subject. But no such thing happened this time.
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