UAE welcomes IPL after tournament is given go-ahead
The UAE’s status as a top destination for world-class sporting events was further bolstered after it was announced that the Indian Premier League had received clearance to stage the tournament here.
Yesterday, the Emirates Cricket Board said it had received official approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India to bring the T20 carnival to the Emirates.
This will be the second time the IPL brings its show to the
UAE. In 2014, the country hosted part of the tournament when it coincided with a general election in India.
But this time it will be much bigger, even though venues will not be packed with spectators owing to the coronavirus crisis.
The IPL will run from September 19 to November 10 at venues – in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah – making it the second biggest sports event in the UAE this year.
Last month, the UFC concluded its four-event programme over two weeks at Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, which involved an 11 kilometre safe zone on Yas Island, 2,000 people on site and more than 17,000 Covid-19 tests being taken.
Given the UAE’s record in hosting large-scale events, even at short notice, the ECB welcomed the announcement, stating that it will be the biggest cricket event the country has seen.
“The UAE is well versed in delivering successful events, sporting and lifestyle ... and it is our collective intent that the tournament be played in a safe, enjoyable environment,” said Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and chairman of the ECB.
Teams from the eight IPL franchises are scheduled to land in the country from August 20, after passing Covid-19 tests. IPL chairman Brijesh Patel said three tests will be in India before travel and three after landing in the UAE.
The 2020 Indian Premier League will be held in the UAE after the Indian cricket board received government clearance to host the tournament outside the country.
The Indian board had in principle agreed to the move but was waiting for clearance from the Indian ministries of home and external affairs.
IPL chairman Brijesh Patel said he is confident the UAE will turn out to be the perfect hosts. “We are very confident. The UAE has the infrastructure. They have hosted many international matches, and not just the IPL,” Patel said.
The tournament is scheduled to be held in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi from September 19 to November 10.
The Emirates Cricket Board said it was looking forward to hosting the biggest cricketing event in its history.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and the ECB chairman, said: “We feel extremely privileged to host what could be considered the pinnacle event of our favourite sport.
“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.
“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.”
After receiving official approval, the governing bodies in India and the UAE can now begin the task of finalising the infrastructure and protocols to hold the event in a biosecure environment.
The franchises have already started preparing for the trip. The eight teams, with Indian players, are planning to leave for the UAE after August 20 following mandatory Covid-19 tests. Players will undergo three tests in India and another three after arrival in the UAE. Regular tests are planned throughout the tournament.
Apart from the logistics involved in shifting the tournament to another location, the franchises and Indian board also have to contend with the loss of the tournament’s title sponsor.
Chinese phone company Vivo Mobile and the IPL decided to “suspend their partnership” for this year.
The five-year deal was worth around $68 million (Dh250m) per year and that formed a big source of income for the franchises, a little under $3m for each team. The BCCI is now looking for new sponsors who can chip in at the last moment and plug the financial hole.
However, IPL chief Patel said commercial interest in the tournament remains high as it will soon be the festive season in India. “There is a lot of interest as this will also be the festival season [in India]. There is Dussehra and Diwali, and the [new title] rights will go on until Christmas. This year is also going to be huge because people want to see live cricket,” Patel added.
The IPL was scheduled to take place in March, but was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, once the T20 World Cup – which was to be played in October and November in Australia – was postponed, the IPL got the window to hold this year’s tournament by moving it to the UAE.
The three cities in the country have prior experience of hosting the IPL having staged part of the tournament in 2014 when it coincided with India’s general elections.
On that occasion, the stadiums were packed with fans, but this year’s event will take on a much different feel in the absence of supporters.
The UAE can now begin finalising protocols and the infrastructure to hold the event in a biosecure environment