Indian and Chinese soldiers stand-off continues at Galwan Valley after 20 Indian soldiers died in the affray between the two sides. Amid heightened tensions over the border dispute, there has been a move in India for boycotting Chinese products. Even the Indian government has also banned 59 Chinese apps on Tuesday. Kings XI Punjab’s co-owner Ness Wadia had also called the BCCI and Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises to cut off ties with Chinese sponsors.
The cash-rich league IPL is sponsored by several Chinese companies. VIVO, a mobile phone company, is the title sponsor of the T20 league. It pays the BCCI Rs 440 crore annually for the five-year deal ending in 2022.
Wadia opined that the Indian board and other franchise should end their ties with Chinese sponsors to support the nation after barbarism shown by Chinese Soldiers on the Line of Actual Control in Galwan Valley.
“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,” Ness Wadia told PTI on Tuesday.
We must have all the respect for the nation: Ness Wadia
However, Wadia acknowledges that it would be difficult to find sponsors but he believes that it is necessary to take this step to answer the rivals.
“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.
While Wadia has made his opinion clear, other IPL franchises have said that they will wait for the government’s decision and would be ready to do so if the authority orders.