February 4, 2012  Print Email | IPL will be played outside India
At either England or South Africa
Posted by The News staff at 08:04 AM GMT on Mar 22, 2009 | MILLIONS OF cricket lovers will be disappointed with the Indian cricket board's (BCCI's) decision to stage the second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the shorter Twenty20 format tournament, outside India owing to security issues.
Security for the IPL is a major issue after terrorists killed over 150 people in India's financial capital, Mumbai, last November and also after the recent attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in neighbouring Pakistan.
"We apologise to the people of India. Because of the extraordinary situation of the year we have decided to move the event out of India," Shashank Manohar, the country's cricket chief, told a news conference after a meeting of the league officials in Mumbai today. The BCCI is in talks with other boards who have shown their willingness to host the IPL, he said.
With general elections around the corner, security is of primary concern to both the central and state governments. The Indian board had failed to get government clearance for security cover because the tournament clashes with the multi-phase general elections. India goes to polls on 16 April and the government is reluctant to spare central paramilitary forces for the IPL matches.
Television news reports suggest that either England or South Africa would host the event. England's advantage is its vast south Asian diaspora but South Africa will be a relatively cheaper venue for the matches.
A decision will be taken in 2-3 days. The 59-match tournament will be played on its original dates between 10 April and 24 May, IPL boss Lalit Modi said.
Postponement was not an option given the packed international calendar. Cancelation would result in huge loses for the franchisee owners.
"...It is pertinent to understand that within the present International calendar of events, there is no other window for IPL to be played during this year. Immediately after conclusion of the IPL, the teams will play in England on 25 May for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup commencing from 2 June," a BCCI press release said.
The cricket board assured franchisees that their financial interests will be protected. But there's still no clarity on the new revenue sharing formula.
|
|
| |
|