Impact of COVID-19
Globally the corona virus outbreak made many changes economically and created a great panic situation. Cash rich Indian Premier League too faces the same issue where BCCI is in verge to face the huge loss. Due to restrictions imposed by Indian government BCCI postponed the IPL to the mid of April 15 without any option left.
The postponed IPL schedule too is in risk of getting cancelled due to the increase in spread of corona. Though BCCI decide to start the tournament around July to September Indian Government advice BCCI to re-consider their decision.
Indian Government’s Advice to BCCI
On Thursday, Indian Government urged the organisers to cancel the IPL to help slowdown the Corona virus pandemic. The organizers were in idea of conducting the IPL behind the closed doors which avoid the crowd gathering.
Ministry of External Affairs additional secretary and coordinator for Covid-19, Dammu Ravi said, “Think it is for the organisers to decide whether to go ahead with it or not.”
“Our advice would be to not do it at this time but if they want to go ahead, it is their decision,” he added.
Unsurprisingly, the BCCI is ready to comply with every advisory to start the tournament on time.
A senior BCCI official told AFP, “We are keen to start the IPL on time even if it means without crowds.”
“It could be TV-only as it is a medical emergency and we can do nothing about that,” he added.
Several state governments are also not ready to help BCCI in conducting the games as everybody is facing tough times. Previously, the State Government of Maharashtra has already ordered defending champions Mumbai Indians to delay the ticket sales for the opening game of IPL 2020. While Karnataka state government too denied hosting the matches due to the corona virus pandemic.
And Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said, “Human life has far more value than the IPL.”
