BCCI has decided to retain all the IPL sponsors including the Chinese brands. IPL is not ending ties with Vivo, its major sponsor which is a Chinese mobile handset maker and other companies like Paytm and Dream11 – which also have Chinese investments. This decision was taken at the Governing Council meeting, as per a TNN report.
IPL’s Chinese sponsorship came in focus after clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh in June. However, BCCI has decided to continue with the sponsors. A Governing Council member said they were continuing as it was not easy to find sponsors at this stage.
BCCI
“All I can say is that all our sponsors are with us. Hopefully, you can read between the lines,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.
Vivo had signed a five-year deal with the BCCI as the major sponsor of the league worth Rs 2199 crores in 2017. BCCI’s contracts with Vivo and other Chinese brands run into thousands of crores. BCCI’s decision comes amidst pressure from all corners over boycott of Chinese ties after the Galwan Valley clash where 20 Indian soldiers were martyred.
BCCI
So the question is, will people boycott the tournament now? There have been calls to boycott Chinese goods and anything associated with China. Now India’s biggest T20 tournament is being sponsored by Chinese companies and it shall be interesting to see the people’s reaction.
The tournament shall be played in UAE in the backdrop of COVID-19. It begins on September 19 and concludes on November 10.