Thumbs-up to cheergirls from IPL franchise chiefs

New Delhi: As the self-righteous moral brigade expresses outrage against the presence of cheerleaders at Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, the franchisees of various teams are unfazed and say their detractors are looking for "cheap publicity".

"The whole controversy is irrelevant. Frankly speaking, it is a trivial issue and doesn't deserve the attention it is getting.

"All those creating such a big ruckus are looking for publicity and the least we can do is not to allow them to get away with it," Charu Sharma, CEO of the Bangalore Royal Challengers team, said on Saturday.

The American concept of cheerleaders at sporting events has been replicated here to add a dash of glamour and entertainment, but many Indians are seeing it as vulgar and obscene.

West Bengal Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty questioned the presence of cheerleaders on the cricket field.