Cricket / ECB confirms receiving letter of intent from BCCI to host IPL in UAE

Mumbai: It’s official. The 2020 Indian Premier League is moving to the UAE this year. The Emirates Cricket Board has acknowledged receiving a letter of intent from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host the 13th edition of the IPL in the UAE. “We have received the (official) letter and now wait on the decision from the Indian Government,” said Mubashshir Usmani, secretary general of the Emirates board, in a statement.

Decks are also being cleared at the ministerial level in India. “BCCI’s request to hold the IPL outside India in UAE has been approved by the sports ministry,” confirmed a source in the sports ministry. The proposal now has to get the green light from the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs.

Hindustan Times had first reported on May 10 that the board had written to the BCCI, offering to host the IPL. The Indian board however waited till mid-July to see if a closed-door IPL could be staged at home. With the COVID-19 caseload increasing, BCCI declared its intentions to move the event overseas following discussions in its Apex Council meet on July 17. The UAE became a top choice at that point.

GOVT PERMISSION

According to a BCCI official, getting official permission from the Indian government is a formality now. “The government has to take its own view. With rising coronavirus cases in the country, we have been given to understand it’s very difficult,” a top BCCI official said.

The BCCI however has made it clear ‘this is no 2009’. When the IPL was first moved overseas (South Africa) in 2009 due to the general elections, it was against the wishes of the then Union government. This time, there is an admission from all parties that the health situation in the country is not conducive to stage a mega sporting event involving international players.

“What we are waiting for is an understanding on international travel. To see if commercial flight are available, or we have to use chartered flights. Also, it’s not just a case of flying all Indian players to Dubai. Players and all other participants from other parts of the world also need to travel to Dubai,” he added.

NO COMPENSATION, IF NO CROWDS

The Indian board will soon call an IPL governing council (GC) meet where all logistical and financial issues will be thrashed out. But even before the GC members get together, the BCCI does not seem inclined to compensate franchises for the loss of gate receipts–a demand raised by some franchises like Kings XI Punjab. “What would the losses be if there was no IPL? The gate revenue is only 10-15 percent of what the franchises make. Many franchises understand where we stand,” the BCCI official said.

A final decision on whether spectators will be allowed through limited ticket sales will be based on the advice of the UAE government. But franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are used to getting full houses at home games, stand to lose considerable revenue.

UAE PREPARED

Usmani confirmed the proposed IPL dates–September 19 to November 08–and added ‘both boards have fully mobilised and have instigated discussions with the relevant authorities, including their respective internal working committees.’

“There are many factors which influence the operations and logistics of hosting what is the world’s most exciting, popular and lucrative tournament,” said Usmani. “This is a massive movement of people and equipment and we now need to bring in the experts to discuss all aspects of UAE hosting the IPL. This includes the Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah Sports Councils, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah tourism bodies and the respective government entities such as the police forces and the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention.”

The UAE has experience hosting the IPL, having staged 20 IPL matches in 2014. Usmani speaks of ‘solid understanding of what is required, and who we need to consult and engage from this early stage through to close of the tournament.’

All franchises are looking to have a three-four week training camp in the UAE before the competition begins. “UAE boasts some of the best practice facilities and stadia in the world across three Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah) which we are confident will be more than adequate to support the eight-team tournament,” said Usmani.