Ness Wadia wants the BCCI to sever ties with Chinese Sponsors ahead of upcoming IPL season

Ness Wadia, the co-owner of the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), has urged to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to sever ties with Chinese brands ahead of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). On June 16, 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives in a cross-border fight with the Chinese troopers and the incident has given rise to furore across the entire nation.

The Indian government, in response, has banned 59 Chinese applications, including Tik-Tok. Chinese company VIVO is currently the title sponsor of the T20 league. The recent occurring at the Galwan Valley has prompted the BCCI to call a meeting, regarding deciding on the IPL sponsorship.

However, the meeting hasn’t taken place yet. Wadia reckons that by cancelling the deals, the IPL should “lead by example”. As per Wadia, the step should be taken, bearing in mind the respect and dignity of the nation.

I would say find me an Indian sponsor for the upcoming season: Ness Wadia

“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 was quoted as saying in Times Now.

Wadia understands that it won’t be easy to find new sponsorships. Hence, he has requested the Indian brands to come forward.

“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 stated.

“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,” Wadia added.

Recently, a number of cricketers, including Harbhajan Singh, have called for banning Chinese products. As far as the IPL goes, it stands postponed due to COVID-19 even as the BCCI keeps looking for an apt window to host the tournament.