BCCI pledges Rs 10 crores for India’s Olympic contingent

With less than a month to for the Tokyo Olympic games, the BCCI has come out in support of the Indian contingent. The Indian cricket board has pledged a donation of INR 10 crores for the training and preparations of country's Olympic-bound athletes.

"BCCI has decided to extend support to the Indian Olympic Association and has pledged a monetary gesture of Rs. 10 crores," the BCCI tweeted.

The decision was taken at the BCCI's Apex Council meeting attended by BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah.

"The summer Olympics is scheduled to be held in Tokyo from 23 July to 8th August 2021. The BCCI has decided to support Indian athletes in every form and manner it can. In that spirit, based on the request received from the IOA/MYAS, the Apex Council of BCCI has decided to extend support to the Indian Olympic Association and has pledged a monetary gesture of Rs. 10 crores," BCCI said in a statement.

"It (fund) will be used for the preparation and other contingency purposes of our elite athletes who have qualified for the Tokyo Games. The modalities of the payment will be finalised after talking to Sports ministry and Indian Olympic Association (IOA),” a BCCI official told PTI.

The support comes after the departure of kit sponsor Li Ning, and will be a major boost for the athletes vying for glory in the quadrennial event.

"The BCCI has always believed in helping in the development of Olympic Sports and this is not the first time that a big amount is being donated," the official further added.

The Tokyo Olympic Games will begin from July 23.