NEW DELHI: Condemning the BCCI for its decision to continue with the Chinese sponsors for the IPL, the RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) on Monday urged people to consider boycotting the T20 league to be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 19. The BCCI on Sunday decided not to cut off its links with Chinese companies, which are the tournament’s major sponsors.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council have shown utter disrespect to the Indian soldiers killed by Chinese troops with its decision to hold the cricket league with its Chinese sponsors,” said SJM’s co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan in a statement. “At a time when the country is striving hard to make our economy free from Chinese dominance in the markets, the government is making all efforts to keep China out of our markets, this act of the IPL Governing Council is an aberration to the nation’s mood,” Mahajan said.
He added that people should consider boycotting the cricket league. Mahajan also urged the IPL organisers and the BCCI to rethink about their decision to allow Chinese companies to sponsor the cricket league, while asserting that nothing is above the country’s security and dignity. It is learnt that the BCCI has not given it a thought as of now. The IPL from its official handle had tweeted that it would review the sponsorship deal during its Governing Council meeting that was held on Sunday.
The GC decided that Chinese smartphone maker Vivo will remain the title sponsor. The sponsorship deal was secured for five years in 2018 for a whopping sum of `2,199 crore. There is a severance clause in the agreement that mandates the board to pay a hefty amount in case they opt out of the agreement. The board had also said that this benefits India and its economy. The final is on November 10.
Covid-19 tests for players every 5 days
Players have to carry a covid negative test before leaving and tested on arrival. There would be one on third day and another on sixth before entering bio-bubble and then tests every five days