Cricket
BCCI grants Emirates Cricket Board official clearance to host tournament
On Tuesday, 11th August, 2019, the BCCI issued the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) with official approval to host the IPL 2020, starting from September 19 to November 10.
"Emirates Cricket Board has today confirmed they have received the official clearance from the BCCI to host the 13th edition of the highly-popular, prestigious Indian Premier League," the ECB reported in a release.
The development comes after BCCI received the required clearances from the Indian government to host the league in UAE. The decision to move the world’s renowned T20 league to UAE is due to the current devastating COVID-19 situation in India.
This was after the IPL 2020 had initially postponed from the earlier April-May schedule because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2020 IPL will kick start on September 19 till November 10 in the UAE across three venues -- Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chair of the ECB said UAE is more than privileged to host the 2020 IPL league.
“We feel extremely privileged to host what could be considered the pinnacle-event of our favorite sport,” said Sheikh Mabarak Al Nahayan.
“The magnitude of being in a position to bring the IPL to the vast cricket-loving global community, during current events which have greatly impacted our daily lives, is one we take with extreme importance.”
The official clearance from the BCCI means that the UAE can start full-fledged preparations for the 2020 tournament. This, however, isn’t the first time UAE will be hosting the IPL as it served as host back in 2014 due to the Indian general elections. And since the UAE’s Covid-19 situation is currently under control, the BCCI saw it fit to take the IPL to the Emirates.
“This is undoubtedly the highest-profile cricketing-event to be held in the UAE, and our team will continue to support all facets (of the tournament) and work toward delivering a successful event for the enjoyment of all sports-fans; here in the UAE, in India and across the world,” said Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak.
The participating Indian teams will depart the country for the Emirates beginning August 20. All players and accompanying officials, upon their arrival, will then be required to isolate themselves for a minimum of six days prior to entering the bio-bubble. A minimum of three tests will be performed over the six-day isolation period.
“We remain in very close contact with the BCCI, IPL committees, the UAE Government and Ministries, our Health Authority, as well as many other entities, who are all experts in their respective fields and it is our collective intent that the tournament be played in a safe, enjoyable environment,” said Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak.
So, will there be spectators at the stadiums? Well, according to the UAE, Indian fans with a negative COVID-19 report will be allowed into the stadiums to enjoy the game. However, everyone planning to travel to the UAE for the IPL will be required to follow the health and safety protocol.
Since not everyone will be in a position to travel to the UAE, Indian fans will be able to enjoy live match streaming of the 13th IPL from the comfort of their homes on selected TV channels.
Besides watching the IPL, Indian fans will also have an opportunity to place live IPL bets on their favorite teams from various IPL betting sites.
