MotoGP shows distorted map of India, apologises | Racing News

GREATER NOIDA:MotoGP Bharat ran into a controversy on Friday when the organisers showed a distorted map of India while live-streaming on MotoGP TV the practice sessions from Buddh International Circuit. The map, which didn’t show J&K and Ladakh as part of the country, led to a massive furore on social media, reports Hindol Basu. The organisers later apologised to “our fans in India”, saying, “it’s never our intent to make any statement other than that of support and appreciation of our host country.”

MotoGP live streams India’s distorted map, apologises after getting called out
After visa-related issues, the ongoing MotoGP Bharat ran into another controversy on Friday. While livestreaming the practice sessions on MotoGP TV, the organisers showed a distorted map of India. The map shown had omitted the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The red-faced organisers later issued an official statement and expressed regret over the blunder.
“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 of our host country. We’re excited to be able to enjoy the Indian Oil Grand Prix of India with you and we’re loving our first taste of the Buddh International Circuit,” the statement read.
Earlier, the incorrect map led to a massive furore on social media. Several users lambasted the organisers and de – manded an explanation for the gaffe. One user posted on X, “Hello MotoGP, could you please clarify why your livestreaming of the practice session had a distorted map with Bharat’s head missing? “If it is a mistake, it needs to be immediately corrected and not repeated again in qualifying and the main race. If you think this image is ‘edited’, please provide a feed of the practice session, debunking this claim that is doing rounds on social media.”
Another user posted, “Well, this is not at all good to see. @MotoGP Showing a distorted map of India while they are racing in our country.”
The MotoGP is managed across the world by Dorna Sports since the last 30 years and is promoted in India by a private sports management enterprise Fairstreet Sports.
“It is highly regrettable that an erroneous map of India was broadcast by MotoGP TV today during the telecast of Grand Prix of India. We are aware that MotoGP have issued a public apology. The FMSCI advises its motorsports affiliates to be extremely careful and correct on the depiction of the India Map and Indian Tricolor,” FMSCI (Federa – tion of Motor Sports Clubs of India) president Akbar Ebrahim told PTI.