After the recent face-off between India and China in Galwan valley, where 20 Indian soldiers attained martyrdom, there has been a huge outrage across the country with the government also keen on ending ties with China. Soon after the Indian government announced a ban on 59 Chinese apps in India, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) co-owner Ness Wadia also appealed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to gradually sever ties with Chinese sponsors for the Indian Premier League (IPL).
VIVO, a Chinese company, is the title sponsor for the Indian Premier League. The recent incident in the Galwan valley prompted the BCCI to call a meeting of the IPL Governing Council to review Chinese sponsorships but that meeting is yet to take place.
Wadia opined that if not in 2020, the Indian board should try and sever the ties by 2021.
“We should do it (sever ties with Chinese sponsors in IPL) for the sake of the nation. Country comes first, money is secondary. And it is the Indian Premier League, not the Chinese Premier League. It should lead by example and show the way,” Wadia told PTI.
“Yes it would be difficult to find sponsors initially but I am sure there are enough Indian sponsors who can replace them. We must have all the respect for the nation and our government and most importantly for the soldiers who risk their lives for us,” said the known Indian businessman.
Wadia further added that if he was the BCCI president, he would look for an Indian sponsor for the tournament.
“If I was the BCCI president, I would say find me an Indian sponsor for the upcoming season.
“Indian companies need to step up and see the same benefits and opportunities that Chinese companies have seen in the IPL, which is the best T20 league in the world.”
Chinese mobile phone maker Vivo is the IPL title sponsor and it pays the BCCI a huge sum of Rs 440 crore annually for the five-year deal ending in 2022.
