BCCI, on Wednesday, officially announced a fantasy gaming platform Dream11 as the title sponsors for the upcoming IPL 2020 season, which will be played in UAE from September 19.
However, this move has come in for much criticism from the Traders' body, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), which are opposing Dream11 due to the company having investment from China.
CAIT alleged that the BCCI has 'hoodwinked the people of India' and its decision to suspend VIVO's deal for title sponsorship of IPL 2020 'was a mere eyewash'. Also, in its letter to the sports minister also said BCCI 'has no sympathies with the Indian soldiers' and 'does not respect the sentiments of the Indian citizens'.
IPL 2020: BCCI announces Dream11 as the title sponsors for IPL 13 only
Vivo pulled out of IPL 2020 sponsorship due to tensions in the country over the Galwan Valley clashes between Indian and Chinese soldiers, which led to 20 Indian jawans being martyred. CAIT, however, raised objections over Dream11's association with IPL and the Indian cricket board.
"As you are well aware that the BCCI had earlier this month decided to retain Chinese handset maker VIVO as the title sponsor of IPL 2020 to be held in Dubai amid strong objections raised by the CAIT and others in view of the strong anti-China sentiments prevailing in the country, the contract with Vivo was canceled," CAIT national secretary-general, Praveen Khandelwal wrote in the letter.
"However, to our utter shock and dismay, the BCCI has once again hoodwinked the people of India and awarded the contract to online gaming company Dream11 which also has Chinese investor Tencent Global as one of its major stakeholders.
This sheer insensitive behavior of the BCCI is indicative of the fact that the earlier decision to stop Vivo was a mere eyewash and the BCCI in fact has absolutely no sympathies with the Indian soldiers and does not respect the sentiments of the Indian citizens,” the letter stated.
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"At a time when the entire nation has been deeply perturbed by the barbaric and callous actions by the Chinese at the Galwan Valley in Ladakh wherein 20 brave sons of the soil were brutally murdered by the Chinese Army, the Government of India led by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has taken several measures to give a strong befitting reply to China.
However, the BCCI seems to be functioning completely against the broad policy outline of the Government and taking decisions that are contrary to the PM's push for Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
"At this juncture, we urge you to kindly intervene in this matter which is of great importance to the pride and sovereignty of the nation and direct the BCCI to cancel the contract awarded to Dream11 and give it a company that is completely free from any sort of Chinese involvement."
On the other hand, BCCI has rejected Dream11’s bid for three years' sponsorship rights over the low amount and Dream11 has agreed to be IPL 2020 title sponsors for only this year's edition. Dream11 was the highest bidder for IPL 2020 title sponsorship with a bid of Rs 222 crore, beating the likes of Byju’s and Unacademy.
(India Today inputs)
