Ahead of 2020 Tokyo Olympics, India Rejects Chinese Sponsored Kit

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has ousted Chinese sportswear manufacturer Li Ning as its official kit partner, citing popular opinion in the nation, and announced that its competitors will instead wear unbranded clothes in the Tokyo Games. 

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Since 20 Indian troops were killed in a skirmish with Chinese forces in a Himalayan border dispute last year, Chinese enterprises have suffered a backlash in India. 

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At the time, the IOA decided to examine its contract with Li Ning, which was set to expire after the Tokyo Olympics. 

It just unveiled an Olympic uniform created by a Chinese manufacturer six days ago, but said late Tuesday that it was terminating the partnership out of respect for the "sentiments of the people of the country."

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"We are aware of the emotions of our fans and we ... have decided that we will withdraw from our existing contract with an apparel sponsor," IOA President Narinder Batra and Secretary General Rajeev Mehta said in a statement.

"Our athletes, coaches and support staff will wear unbranded apparel," they added. 

Li Ning's agents in India were not immediately available for comment.

The IOA stated that it did not want the question of who created the uniforms to be a source of contention.

"We would like our athletes to be able to train and compete without having to answer questions about the apparel brand," it added.

"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."

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