Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia earlier this month sought to gradually end the sponsorship of Chinese companies in the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to rising tensions between India and China in eastern Ladakh. Demand for a boycott of Chinese products is gaining momentum after the death of 20 Indian soldiers on 15 June in the Galvan Valley. However, China has so far refused to share information about the deaths of its soldiers. After this incident, the BCCI had to call a meeting of the IPL Governing Council to review sponsorship by Chinese companies, but this meeting has not been held yet. China has banned 59 apps from China. Wadia said that we should break ties with China's sponsors in the IPL for the sake of the country. The country is first, money later and it is the Indian Premier League, not the China Premier League. It should set an example and show the way.
He said, "Yes, it will be difficult to find a sponsor in the beginning but I think there are enough Indian sponsors who can replace him. We should respect the country and the government and the most important soldiers who risk their lives for us. When the Indian troops protested against the construction of a checkpoint by the Chinese side towards the Indian side in Galvan, the Chinese soldiers attacked them with stones, nail sticks, and iron bars. This was the biggest clash between the armies of the two countries after Nathula in 1967. India had lost about 80 soldiers while more than 300 Chinese soldiers were killed". China's mobile phone company Vivo is the title sponsor of the IPL and pays Rs 440 crore to the Cricket Board of India (BCCI) each year under an agreement that lasts until 2022. Chinese companies also have investments in IPL-linked companies Paytm, Swiggy, and Dream XI. Not only IPL but teams are also sponsored by Chinese companies. Wadia has made his stand clear, but other teams including Chennai Super Kings said that they will accept the government's decision.
CSK source said that it will be difficult to replace him initially, but if it is done for the sake of the country, then we should do it. Another team owner said let the government decide, whatever decision they make, we will accept it. Wadia said that it is not right to wait for the instructions of the government in this controversial matter because it is our moral responsibility to stand with the country at this time. He said if I were the BCCI President, I would say that I want an Indian sponsor for the upcoming session. Wadia also welcomed the government's decision to ban China's app, citing national security.
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