No IPL Opening Ceremony, BCCI Donate ₹20 Cr to Armed Forces, CRPF

BCCI contributed Rs 20 crore, the budget earmarked for the opening ceremony, to the funds of Armed forces and CRPF.

Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, center, hands over a cheque of INR 2 crore (US$ 2890) to S. Elango, right, a senior Indian paramilitary officer before the start of the VIVO IPL T20 cricket match.

(Photo: AP)

The BCCI contributed Rs 20 crore, the budget earmarked for the IPL opening ceremony, to the funds of the Armed forces and CRPF on Saturday, 23 March.

The Committee of Administrators (CoA), running the BCCI, had decided to cancel the glitzy opening ceremony in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

“It was unanimously decided that a sum of Rs 11 crore be contributed to the Indian Army, Rs 7 crore to the CRPF and Rs 1 crore each to the Navy and Air Force respectively.”

BCCI in a Press Release

The 12th edition of the popular T20 league began Saturday with a clash between defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royals Challengers Banaglore (RCB) in Chennai.

The toss for the opening match was advanced by 10 minutes to allow performance by military bands.

The toss for the opening match of IPL 2019 was advanced by 10 minutes to allow performance by military bands.(Photo: BCCI)

CSK Donate Rs 2 Cr to CRPF

CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, along with a team official, presented a cheque of Rs 2 crore to the representatives of the CRPF. The franchise had earlier announced that the proceeds from the ticket sales (Rs 2 crore) for the opening match would be donated to the CRPF.

CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni presented a cheque of Rs 2 crore to the representatives of the CRPF. (Photo: BCCI)

“Ticket proceeds of Chennai Super Kings’ first home match in the 2019 IPL against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chepauk on 23 March will go towards the families of the victims of the Pulwama terror attack. Our captain MS Dhoni, who is honorary Lt. Colonel of the Indian territorial army, will present the cheque" Chennai Super Kings director Rakesh Singh had said.

‘National Interest of Utmost Important to Us’

CoA Chairman, Mr. Vinod Rai said, "As a federation, we felt it was best not to hold a regular IPL opening ceremony. Instead, we decided to contribute the amount towards a cause that is so important and close to everyone's heart."

Rai's CoA colleague Diana Edulji said, "This comes as a welcome move and as a mark of respect to the ones who lost their lives in the terror attack. The BCCI has always been sensitive towards issues of national interest and will continue to make contributions whenever the need arises."

Lieutenant General Ravindra Thodge, member of CoA, said, "The national interest is of utmost importance to us. We understand the sentiments of the people and the families that have been affected by the Pulwama attack and martyred in operations in J&K, Northeast and anti Naxal operations or otherwise during the course of their Duty.

"We respect and admire our Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces. This move was our way of showing solidarity and making a contribution in whatever capacity possible."