The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Thursday unveiled a ceremonial and official sports kit for the Indian contingent that will participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which will begin on July 23 and will run up to August 8 this year. For the uninitiated, the marquee event was slated to be held last year, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the official styling partner Raymond will deliver the ceremonial kits and the Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning is the official sports apparel partner and will supply the sports attire, including the travel and playing kits for the Indian contingent heading to Tokyo. Reportedly, Li-Ning has designed the official sports kit inspired by India’s national colours and integrated unique graphics to emote the energy and pride of the Indian Olympic Team. According to an India Today report, the designs of the official kits were curated by the IOA with support from designer Iditri Goel.
India's Olympic kit was unveiled by Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday along with the IOA president and other athletes. Speaking about it, the Minister said: "The uniform, Olympic kit is very important, you wear it and you play for the country. Unveiling of Olympics kit is very important and it gives new impetus to the 'josh' of our players. Many of our athletes are here in India and some of them are abroad, I am very happy. India is working very hard and is preparing well for the Olympics."
Meanwhile, Twitterati aren't happy after the Chinese brand Li-Ning sponsored India's official kits for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. For the unversed, the BCCI had suspended its deal with Chinese mobile manufacturer Vivo for IPL 2020 after 20 Indian soldiers died in a standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh's Galwan valley in June last year. Also, around the same time, the Centre had conducted a "digital strike" and banned multiple Chinese mobile applications.
Twitter users pointed that the relations with China haven't improved yet. "This is a matter of big shame," said a Twitter user. "#ChineseNirbaharSarkar," mocked another Twitter user.
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