Chennai: The BCCI contributed Saturday Rs 20 crore, the budget earmarked for the IPL opening ceremony, to the funds of the Armed Forces and CRPF.
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, rupees seven crore to the CRPF and Rs one crore each to the Navy and Air Force respectively,” a BCCI release said.
The 12th edition of the popular league is beginning Saturday with a clash between defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royals Challengers Banaglore (RCB) here.
CoA chairman, 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 stated: “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.”
PTI
