Council retains China sponsors

● The Governing Council of the IPL decided to retain all its sponsors, including a Chinese phone manufacturer, approved Covid-19 replacements and host women’s matches too during the IPL to be played in UAE from Sept. 19 to November 10.

New Delhi, Aug. 2: The Indian Premier League’s Governing Council on Sunday decided to retain all its sponsors, including Chinese mobile company VIVO, and approved Covid19 replacements in the event to be held in UAE this year.

The tournament will be played from September 19 to November 10, the IPL GC decided after a virtual meeting on Sunday.

“All I can say is that all our sponsors are with us. Hopefully you can read between the lines,” an IPL GC member said.

Chinese sponsorship became a bone of contention after the clashes between the Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh in June. The BCCI had promised to review the deals post the showdown.

In another major decision, the IPL GC also approved the women’s IPL.

The IPL will allow unlimited Covid-19 replacements considering the delicate health safety situation across the globe.

“We expect the the Home and External Affairs Ministry to give us necessary approvals within another week. The final will be played on November 10 as it enters the Diwali week making it lucrative for the broadcasters,” the IPL GC member said.

It would have been difficult to get new sponsors for the Board at a short notice given.

It is expected that the squad strength in terms of playing members will be 24 the eight franchises.

“Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is still being prepared but there would be any number of Covid replacements this year.

“Also the BCCI has received presentations from a DUBAI based group on creating a medical facility in the UAE. The BCCI is also in talks with the Tata Group for creating a biobubble,” he said. —