Finally, the cat is out of the bag. The Indian team will head to the Asia Cup in UAE, without a lead sponsor on their jersey, after Dream11 was ousted, after the Online Sports Bill was passed. Now, the BCCI has invited fresh applications for the same on Tuesday, with the last day to buy the Invitation of Expression of Interest being September 12. The submission of the bid documents needs to be completed by September 16, while the IEOI can be purchased for a non-refundable fee of INR 5,90,000, as per a release by the board.
Team India to go to Asia Cup without sponsors
The release further explained the process to place the bids, for the interested parties. It read, “Bidders are requested to email the details of payment made for the purchase of the IEOI to sponsorship@bcci.tv, as per the procedure laid down in ANNEXURE A. It is clarified that the IEOI documents shall be shared only upon the confirmation of payment of the non-refundable IEOI fee.
“Any bidder wishing to submit a bid is required to purchase the IEOI. However, only those satisfying the eligibility requirements set out in the IEOI, as laid down in ANNEXURE B, and subject to the other terms and conditions set out therein, shall be eligible to bid. It is clarified that merely purchasing the IEOI does not entitle any person to bid. BCCI reserves the right to cancel or amend the IEOI process at any stage in any manner without providing any reason.”
Banned categories
This time around, the BCCI is utmost careful regarding the team sponsor, and the ‘Dream11’ situation doesn’t arise again, they have come up with the banned & prohibited brands list too. The blocked lists include the list, who are already in association with team; like –
- Athleisure and Sportswear Manufacturer;
- Banks, Banking & Financial Service and Non-Banking Financial Companies;
- Non-Alcoholic Cold Beverages;
- Fans, Mixer Grinders and Safety Locks; and
- Insurance
Prohibited categories
- Alcohol Products;
- Betting or Gambling Services;
- Cryptocurrency;
- Online Money Gaming or any such activities prohibited under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025;
- Tobacco; and
- one which is likely to offend public morals such as, including but not limited to, pornography.
Meanwhile, as far as the Asia Cup is concerned, the tournament starts on September 9, with India playing their first match on 10th. The IND vs PAK match will be held on September 14, and the two teams can face off three times, if they manage to reach the final.
