After backlash, IOA drops Chinese brand

New Delhi, June 8

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) today decided to drop Chinese sportswear Li Ning as its official kit sponsor for the Olympics and decided that the country’s athletes will wear unbranded apparel during the Tokyo Games scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 8.

The IOA had unveiled the Olympics kit designed by Li Ning for the Tokyo Games last week, which led to criticism. It has been learnt that the Sports Ministry then advised IOA to not include a Chinese sponsor for the Games. “We are aware of the emotions of our fans and we in a IOA have decided that we will withdraw from our existing contract with an apparel sponsor,” IOA president Narinder Batra said in a statement. “Our athletes, coaches and support staff, will wear unbranded apparel.”

There have been calls for boycott of Chinese products since tension had increased at the LAC between the Indian army and Chinese troops last year. — PTI