‘We must be cautious about allowing fans’

Kings XI co-owner Wadia plays down talk of logistical problems

Senior Associate Editor

The dilemma for the Indian Premier League (IPL), when it finally sets the ball rolling in the UAE in September, can be centred around the presence of spectators inside the stadia. Ness Wadia, the co-owner of Kings XI Punjab, admits he would love to see even a 20-30% presence of fans at the venues but adds that one has to approach the issue with utmost caution.

‘‘The decision finally rests with the UAE government and the safety protocols there. I am told they have very sophisticated testing machinery there and even if they can look at a smaller percentage of fans as the NBA are doing it, it will be good. However, all of us want an uninterrupted IPL first and I will be inclined to be more on the side of caution,’’ said Wadia.

A sports buff to the core, the industrial tycoon was glued to the TV for the last round of action in English Premier League on Sunday evening when Gulf

News caught up with him. ‘‘There is a lot to learn from the Premier League or the other major European football leagues — about the way they have circumvented the situation. It’s very sad that we had to eventually take such an event outside the country, but I am sure it can bring some joy and cheer to the people of UAE,’’ he said during an exclusive interview.

Mood elevator

Ever since the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) eventually agreed to shift the IPL overseas to the UAE, the logistical problems of the eight franchises have increased manifold, but Wadia chose to play it down: ‘‘I don’t look at it as a crisis. We have always adapted — in 2009, we had to shift the tournament to South Africa at a short notice and in 2014, we had staged 20 matches in the UAE. You can say we are used to it.’’

A few days earlier, Wadia said in an interview that he would like to see daily testing of players, support staff and all concerned so that there are no health concerns during the tournament.

‘‘I feel it’s going to lift people’s minds… there is a lack of fresh content all over. If you look at the way the EnglandWest Indies Test series has been lapped up by people... similarly, IPL is going to provide fresh content and there will be an unabated focus on the league,’’ he said.