SJM SLAMS BCCI FOR CHINA LINK

New Delhi, Aug. 3: Shocked over the BCCI’s decision to continue with the Chinese sponsors for the IPL, the RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) on Monday said people should consider boycotting the T-20 cricket league.

“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,” SJM’s co-convener Ashwani Mahajan said 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,” Mahajan said.

VIVO, a Chinese mobile phone manufacturer, is the title sponsor of the IPL and has paid over `2,000 crore to the BCCI for a five-year deal.

BCCI invites bids for kit sponsor

Meanwhile, the BCCI on Monday invited bids for the team’s kit sponsor and official merchandising partner rights through a tender process to replace Nike, whose contract is set to expire next month. The sports apparel giant had a four-year deal for `370 crore with a royalty of `30 crore.

Under the Invitation to Tender (ITT), the winning bidder will be granted the right to be the kit sponsor and/or the official merchandising partner and various other associated rights. —