IPL not to move abroad, new revised schedule soon
Update: It was announced by IPL chief Lalit Modi today that IPL would not move abroad. After a discussion with the home ministry, Lalit Modi said that considering the probelms of adequate security during elections, a new schedule for the 2009 season would be worked out. IPL games would also take place in more cities – and games would not be scheduled to happen in cities which are voting on the same day. There would be no games on the counting day either.
A final schedule would be announced very soon.
For those who were concerned about the possibilty of Indian Premier League (IPL) being put off, here comes good news. IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi has said the league would go on, and brushed aside speculations on the matches not happening.
There had been rumours that IPL could be moving abroad in the wake of terror attacks on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore. However Modi has clarified that they are just speculations are untrue. This apart, he said that the IPL officials are discussing the various issues involved and will come out with a new schedule by next week.
Meanwhile, with the general elections just round the bend, has added to the IPL woes regarding dates. However, it is now being said that the IPL dates won’t be shifted but there won’t be be any matches held held on days when counting of votes takes place. It is expected that the revised schedule will be worked out in consultation with the various teams and state governments.
The second edition of the immensely popular IPL tourney will have 14 cities available currently. IPL officials will sit together and decide on eight venues among the total shortlisted 14.
The IPL organisers had already sent a revised schedule of matches to the Home Ministry, which will now decide whether security can be arranged for the tournament. Organisers had redrafted the tournament’s schedule, taking care that no matches are held on polling days in cities hosting the games. It has specially been taken care that host cities will not allotted a match two days before and after the polling day.
In case the tournament is put off for another season, chances are that it could lead to massive financial losses for the franchise owners as well the tournament itself. It is expected that this fear has now been allayed with Modi’s clarification.