The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday confirmed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given official clearance for the UAE to host Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.
The official clearance from BCCI comes after the Indian cricket board secured all necessary clearances in writing from the Indian government. IPL Governing Chairman Brjesh Patel on Monday confirmed the development with regards to government clearances.
“Emirates Cricket Board has today confirmed they have received the official clearance from the BCCI to host the 13th edition of the highly-popular, prestigious Indian Premier League,” the ECB said in a release.
The IPL 2020 was initially postponed from its April-May window due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. However, the BCI secured a window in September-November after the T20 World Cup was postponed.
The IPL 2020 will be played from September 19 to November 10 across three venues in the UAE — Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan said UAE is extremely privileged to host the 13th edition of IPL.
“We feel extremely privileged to host what could be considered the pinnacle-event of our favourite sport. The magnitude of being in a position to bring the IPL to the vast cricket-loving global community, during current events which have greatly impacted our daily lives, is one we take with extreme importance,” Al Nahayan said.
“This is undoubtedly the highest-profile cricketing-event to be held in the UAE and our team will continue to support all facets (of the tournament) and work toward delivering a successful event for the enjoyment of all sports-fans; here in the UAE, in India and across the world.”
The UAE had been waiting for official clearances from the BCCI to begin full-fledged preparations to host IPL 2020. This is the 2nd time the UAE will be hosting IPL as it played host to the first half of the tournament which was moved out of India in 2014 due to Assembly elections.
“The UAE is well-versed in delivering successful events – sporting and lifestyle – and we remain in very close contact with the BCCI, IPL committees, the UAE Government and Ministries, our Health Authority, as well as many other entities, who are all experts in their respective fields and it is our collective intent that the tournament be played in a safe, enjoyable environment. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring the ‘IPL 2020’ to the UAE.” added Al Nahayan.
The BCCI is looking to rope in a new title sponsor for IPL 2020 after Chinese mobile manufacturer VIVO pulled out due to the growing tension border tension between India and China.
The BCCI on Monday invited bids for the title sponsorship of the 2020 edition of the T20 tournament. Companies with a turnover of over Rs 300 crores will be allowed to bid for title sponsorship of IPL 2020, BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated in a release. The cricket board said it’s expecting the final bid on August 18.
