Kolkata: Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB) secretary, Aditya Verma has stated that the BCCI should have roped in multiple companies for the IPL 2020 title sponsorship rights instead of Dream 11 alone, which has a Chinese connection. The 13th edition of the IPL is all set to start in the UAE from September 19.
“There were many other companies that bid for the title sponsorship rights. There were companies like TATA, Unacademy, Byju’s, I think BCCI should have divided the sponsorship deal within the three. What’s the problem in showing three names coming as sponsors?,” Verma questioned in an exclusive interaction with the Sportslight Media on Wednesday (August 19).
“If the sponsor is from our country and also an Indian brand or company it will give us a good and positive message. And being an Indian Board it should think about our own country’s safety and the sentiments.”
He also added that by choosing Dream11 as the IPL title sponsor, the BCCI has shattered Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s idea of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self dependency). “Atmanirbhar Bharat is a scheme where PM Narendra Modi basically thought of helping this young generation and the unemployed people. Firstly, IPL 2020 will be held in the UAE and that is a great loss for all the vendors those who have planned for some earnings if the league was held in our own country,” he added.
The BCCI on Tuesday (August 18) has officially declared Dream XI as the title sponsor closing the deal of Rs 222 crores which runs till December end this year. “We all know that coronavirus has made a very deadly condition of our country, that is why IPL will be held in Dubai. I am absolutely in support with this decision.
“But the sponsor that the IPL has declared, Dream11 has a Chinese connection, as per information I recieved through media. If this is the real fact then it is a very wrong decision taken by the Board and it devastates the whole scheme and plan of Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat,” added the veteran administrator. Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd is one of the financial backers of Dream11.
“Few months back if we remember 20 soldiers lost their lives in Galwan Valley clash with Chinese troops. The sentiment of their family, the respect that our nation has for those soldiers should be remembered. As, the soldiers are the main protectors for safe livelihood, they are continuously providing us with security from the country’s border.
“So at first Modi has removed all Chinese applications and asked not to use Chinese products, and I am an Indian I respect the thoughts and sentiments of our nation’s Prime minister, I respect the soldiers of our country. I urged BCCI president Sourav Ganguly to judge on this matter and if this is the true fact or information about Dream 11 then it is a very wrong decision by the Board. They should look for some other options.”
He also wished safe health for all the players. “I wish all the very best to the IPL 2020 from the whole sports fraternity of Bihar. The players that are going for my state and country to play IPL should stay safe and return back safely. IPL should successfully happen but my point is behind the sponsor of IPL I don’t want a Chinese company to be the sponsor,” he said.
 has officially declared Dream XI as the title sponsor closing the deal of Rs 222 crores which runs till December end this year.){kind=link}