New Delhi: Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia on Tuesday (June 30) called for a gradual end to Chinese sponsorship in the Indian Premier League (IPL) amid escalating tensions between the two countries after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the Galwan Valley clash on June 15.
The incident prompted the BCCI to call a meeting of the IPL Governing Council to review Chinese sponsorships ahead of IPL 2020 but that meeting is yet to take place.
On Monday (June 30), India banned 59 Chinese apps. “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.
“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,” he said.
Chinese mobile phone maker Vivo is the IPL title sponsor and it pays the BCCI Rs 440 crore annually for the five-year deal ending in 2022. Other companies involved in the IPL — Paytm, Swiggy, Dream 11 — have Chinese investments.
Not just the IPL, the teams too attract Chinese sponsorship. While Wadia made his stance clear, other teams, including Chennai Super Kings, said they will be happy to go with whatever the government decides.
