May 08, Colombo (LNW): India’s Amul Dairy Company has clinched the prestigious title of official sponsor for Sri Lanka’s World Cup men’s cricket team. However, this move has sparked controversy, with many individuals accusing the government of distancing itself from India and Sri Lankan cricket from its own roots.
It’s worth noting that despite these criticisms, Amul is not a private Indian enterprise nor directly controlled by the Indian government.
Amidst debates surrounding India’s involvement in Sri Lanka’s cricket affairs, Amul stands as a beacon of cooperative success. Owned by the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. and the Government of Gujarat, Amul symbolizes the pinnacle of cooperative achievement.
For Sri Lanka, embracing such cooperative ventures presents an opportunity to foster a similar production culture within its own dairy industry. This could potentially provide vital support to local players aspiring to compete on the international stage.
Rather than viewing Amul’s sponsorship through a lens of political discourse or cricket criticism, it’s essential to explore the cooperative model it represents. By studying Amul’s business strategies, Sri Lanka can potentially cultivate a similar culture of cooperation within its own industries.
The agreement between Amul and Sri Lanka Cricket marks a pivotal moment for both nations. Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Executive Ashley De Silva hailed the partnership as a significant step, noting that Amul’s international branding will elevate Sri Lanka’s visibility in the global sports arena.
Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of Amul, expressed pride in the Sri Lankan team’s performance and reaffirmed Amul’s commitment to strengthening its ties with Sri Lankan Cricket. He emphasized Amul’s proven track record in dairy product development, hinting at a promising future for the partnership.
Amidst political tensions and economic challenges, the collaboration between Amul and Sri Lanka Cricket serves as a reminder of the unifying power of sports, transcending borders and fostering mutual growth and understanding.
