Ness Wadia, co-owner of Kings XI Punjab has called for gradual end to sponsors of Chinese companies in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday due to tensions between India and China in eastern Ladakh earlier this month. The demand for the boycott of Chinese products has been steadily increasing since the martyrdom of 20 Indian soldiers in the Galwan Valley on 15 June. However, China has so far refused to share information about the deaths of its soldiers. Following the incident, the BCCI had to call a meeting of the IPL Governing Council to review the sponsorship by Chinese companies, but the meeting has not been held yet. At the same time, India banned China's 59 apps on Monday.
Wadia said on Tuesday, "We must do this for the sake of the country (breaking ties with China's sponsors in the IPL). The country is first, money comes later. And it is the Indian Premier League, not China Premier League. Yes, it will be difficult to find a sponsor in the beginning, but I think there are enough Indian sponsors who can take their place. We should respect the country and the government and the most important soldiers, who put their life at risk for us. "
China's mobile phone manufacturer Vivo is the title sponsor of IPL and pays Rs 440 crore to BCCI every year under an agreement lasting till 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 (CSK), said they would accept the government's decision. A CSK source said, "It will be difficult to overtake its place in the beginning, but if it is done for the sake of the country then we should do it." Another team owner said, "Let the government decide, we will accept whatever decision they make."
Wadia said that it is not right to wait for the government's instructions 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 have said 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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