Tata’s medical arm to provide bio-bubble

We are still waiting for the government clearance, admits IPL chairman Patel

As the crunch time approaches for the IPL bandwagon to fly out to the UAE towards the latter half of August, Tata Medical and Diagnostics, the medical arm of the Tata Group has emerged as the key player to provide the bio-bubble cover to all stakeholders in the money-spinning league.

Sources revealed that Tata Medical officials gave a presentation to the board on “a holistic, state-of the-art’’ Covid safety services solution and enable the league go through without a hitch from September 19 to November 10. Their inputs had been taken into consideration for a draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which has been handed to the eight franchises for their feedback.

Meanwhile, Restrata, a UK-headquartered company, which had been hired by the English & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the series against the West Indies and Pakistan, has submitted a detailed presentation to the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and the three venues: Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. The company, which has a proven track record on providing various solution platforms for ‘‘safe return’’ of sport, had also served as security advisers to 2012 Olympics.

Speaking to Gulf News from India, Brijesh Patel, the IPL chairman confirmed the presentation by the Tata Group and said a decision will be taken by the end of the week.

Patel also clarified they were looking for ‘Plan B’ for the title-sponsors of the 13th edition of the league as VIVO, the Chinese mobile phone manufacturers and the IPL have decided to part ways for this season. The Chinese company had expressed their desire to step aside this year in view of the anti-China sentiment currently prevailing in India.

The BCCI, meanwhile, is holding onto plans for the recce in the UAE as the clearance from the Home Ministry of India is yet to come despite the verbal assurance.

A PTI report, meanwhile, said that the BCCI draft SOP mandates that Indian players and support staff will have to return negative for Covid-19 at least five times before they start training in the UAE and subsequently will be tested every fifth day during the league.

BCCI, meanwhile, is holding onto plans as the clearance from the Home Ministry of India is yet to come.