By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Aug 29:
Former Maharashtra Minister and MLA Omprakash Babarao alias Bacchu Kadu from Achalpur (Amravati) constituency, has decided to send a legal notice to cricket icon Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar for promoting online games, despite his claim that he does not promote or support gambling.
The Paytm First Games (PFG), Paytm’s subsidiary, has roped in Sachin as its brand ambassador. As per its earlier statement, It seeks to promote all sports including kabaddi, football, and basketball.
However according to Kadu, Sachin has been promoting online games, harmful to younger generation. In fact the state government should have sent a notice to Sachin in this matter. Sachin Tendulkar is Bharat Ratna. It is not appropriate for a person with Bharat Ratna to promote online games. I had written to the state government and Sachin seeking clarification. However there has been no response. As such I will send a legal notice to Sachin on Wednesday, August 30, Kadu told media.
Kadu said that the online games have been adversely affecting youth who should be desisted from indulging in them. As against this, the celebrities have been directly or indirectly promoting the online games. In fact the Maharashtra Government should ban all online games. If the online games continue, we will launch an agitation, he added.
Earlier while accepting the PFG’s offer, Sachin Tendulkar had said that “Cricket is an engaging sport, and we all tend to have opinions about the game…right from player selection to playing strategies. The PFG will give fans the opportunity to don their thinking hats and experience the thrill of making the correct choices and getting their teams to win”.
The PFG offers over 50 games including fantasy sports where players apply research and strategy to engage with live sporting events. As announced earlier by him, Sachin does not figure in the advertisements promoting Pan Masala and other tobacco products. However his association with PFG continues.
