The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) voted on Tuesday to reject Chinese sportswear Li Ning as its official kit sponsor for the Olympics and said that its contingent would sport unbranded clothes during the Games which will take place from July 23 to August 8.
Earlier, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) unveiled the Olympic clothing line designed by Li Ning for the Tokyo Games, which drew sharp criticism. The Sports Ministry then encouraged IOA not to add a Chinese sponsor for the Games.
IOA President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra and Sec General Rajeev Mehta issued a statement that said, “We are aware of the emotions of our fans and we in IOA have decided that we will withdraw from our existing contract with an apparel sponsor. Our athletes, coaches and support staff, will wear unbranded apparel.”
Since tensions between the Indian army and Chinese forces rose at the LoC last year, there have been calls for a boycott of Chinese products.
“We are thankful for guidance by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in making this decision. We would like our athletes to be able to train and compete without having to answer questions about the apparel brand. As it is, they have all been challenged by the pandemic over the past year and a quarter and we want them to be not distracted,” the IOA statement said.
The Chinese firm was supposed to provide athletes with sportswear, travel and playing equipment, as well as baggage, for their trip to Tokyo. So far, 99 Indian competitors – 55 men and 44 women – have qualified for the Olympics, which will take place from July 23 to August 8.