INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: A huge controversy marred the eagerly awaited debut of MotoGP in India when a distorted map of the country, excluding Jammu and
Kashmir and Ladakh, was displayed during a live stream of the prestigious motorcycle racing event on Friday.Social media users quickly
flagged the error, leading to a swift response from MotoGP on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, where they issued an apology for
the oversight."We'd like to apologise to our fans in India for the map shown earlier as part of the MotoGP broadcast
It is never our intent to make any statement other than that of support and appreciation for our host country," MotoGP stated."We're excited
to be able to enjoy the IndianOil Grand Prix of India with you, and we're loving our first taste of the Buddh International Circuit," they
added.On the sporting front, practice sessions for all classes - Moto 2, Moto 3, and MotoGP - were scheduled for Friday, setting the stage
Qualifying rounds were slated for Saturday, with the main races eagerly anticipated on Sunday.India's hosting of this motorsport event is a
landmark moment, marking the country's return to such a prestigious event for the first time since the 2013 Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix
The F1 event was dropped from the calendar due to various issues, including financial, taxation, and bureaucratic challenges.In a
significant development, Dorna, the organisers of MotoGP, and Fairstreet have signed a seven-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for
hosting the MotoGP race in India, indicating a long-term commitment to the country's motorsport scene.Earlier this month, the Uttar Pradesh
government allocated a fund of Rs 8 crore to its 'Invest UP' department for the MotoGP event following a proposal from Fairstreet Sports
The allocation was aimed at enhancing the event's infrastructure and ensuring a smooth experience for participants and spectators alike
Additionally, the local authorities worked on beautification and road repair projects on the connecting routes leading to the Buddh
International Circuit, further signalling their commitment to the success of the event.(With PTI inputs)
