INDIA: Former Maharashtra Minister and MLA Omprakash Babarao, also known as Bacchu Kadu, representing the Achalpur (Amravati) constituency, has announced his intention to send a legal notice to cricket legend Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar for endorsing online games.
Despite Tendulkar’s assertion that he doesn’t support or promote gambling, Kadu contends that his association with Paytm First Games, a subsidiary of Paytm, is harmful to the younger generation.
PFG, a platform that offers over 50 games including fantasy sports, appointed Sachin Tendulkar as its brand ambassador. While the company’s goal is to promote various sports, including kabaddi, football, and basketball, Kadu believes that the promotion of online games by a Bharat Ratna awardee like Tendulkar is inappropriate.
Kadu expressed concerns that online games have a detrimental impact on the youth, and celebrities indirectly endorsing such games only exacerbate the issue. He further called for the Maharashtra Government to ban all online games, warning of potential protests if the issue is not addressed.
Sachin Tendulkar had previously stated that PFG allows fans to engage with sports by making strategic decisions, and it provides them with the thrill of making the right choices for their fantasy teams. Despite his association with PFG, Tendulkar has avoided advertisements promoting tobacco products.
Kadu’s decision to send a legal notice to Sachin Tendulkar highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of online games and celebrity endorsements, sparking conversations about responsible celebrity endorsements and the potential effects of online gaming on the younger generation.
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