|
The
IOA had signed a deal with Li-Ning in May 2018 till the Tokyo Olympics and as
per the agreement the company would sponsor training apparel, leisure wear
and footwear to Indian contingent, including officials.
|
New Delhi(Agencies): The clamour to
boycott Chinese products in sports could be growing in the wake of the killing
of 20 Indian soldiers in the Galwan region of the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
on June 15. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary-general Rajiv Mehta
categorically said that the “country comes first” while its treasurer
Anandeshwar Pandey said that it was his “personal opinion that the IOA should
snap its sponsorship with Li-Ning”, the kitting partner of the Indian
contingent till the Tokyo Olympics.
“It’s my personal
opinion that the IOA should immediately snap its sponsorship with Li-Ning. It’s
high time that we oppose China and its products. I respect the feelings of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I believe that the IOA will take a call on
this at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) soon… the country comes first and we
should all stand united,” said Pandey.
Mehta said, “Li-Ning is a Chinese brand and we have an
agreement till the Tokyo Olympics. If there is such a position, then we will
have to think… then this issue will be discussed in the IOA General house. No
decision is taken at an individual level. We have an agreement with them (till
the Tokyo Olympics). They were also our kitting partners during the Rio
Olympics. But we are with the country first.”
The IOA General house consists of presidents and secretaries
of the national sports federations (NSFs) besides chiefs and secretaries of
state Olympic associations.
The IOA had signed a deal with Li-Ning in May 2018 till the
Tokyo Olympics and as per the agreement the company would sponsor training
apparel, leisure wear and footwear to Indian contingent, including officials,
for the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, the 2018 Olympic Youth Games and the Tokyo
Olympics. The total value of the deal is estimated to be between R5-6 crore.
The company was in the news during the 2016 Rio Olympics
when it had reportedly lodged a complaint with the IOA about three
sportspersons wearing rival brand apparel during competition.
On two major sporting events --- the Asian Beach Games (Nov
28-Dec 6, 2020 at Sanya, China) and the 2022 Asian Games (Hangzhou, China) ---
Mehta said, “It’s too early to comment on the two events right now, but we
stand in support of the country. So far, there is no guideline for such an act
by the government but IOA would rally behind the PM’s call,” said Mehta.
The Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) secretary Sahdev
Yadav said, “All Indian sports federations should start boycotting Chinese
sports products. There is no need to play sports if it is not possible without
Chinese products. The IWF wants everyone to follow the PM’s call against
Chinese products.”
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary Ajay
Singhania said, “Whatever decision is taken by our Hon’ble PM in the best
interest of the nation, we welcome it and stand by it.”
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