BCCI initiates talks for logistics to stage IPL 2020 in UAE: Report

There have been only two formal moves so far with regard to the Indian Premier League 2020 – a) confirmation on having the IPL across three venues in the UAE; and b) a formal request to the Government of India for the clearance.

At the unofficial level, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has reportedly initiated the process to arrange logistics for the league at the offshore destination for the 13th edition of the IPL.

The board is reportedly in touch with the Emirates and Etihad airlines to check on their flying schedules from August onwards as teams will look to head to the UAE by August end to prepare for the IPL, a BCCI functionary has confirmed to IANS news agency.

“The concerned team from BCCI has touched base with the UAE airline officials from the likes of Emirates and Etihad to check how they are planning resumption of flights and if they are planning resumption of operations in Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata among others,” the agency has quoted the source as saying.

“Apart from the IPL teams, logistics and operations teams from the BCCI will also need to head to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to see to it that preparations are on in full swing and there are no execution woes. The IPL is known for its excellence when it comes to operations and this year should be no different.

“If the UAE airlines don’t start operations then obviously we will also look at chartered planes like some of the franchises.”

Efforts are also being made to arrange for boarding and lodging in the three cities earmarked for the IPL Season 13 matches.

“As of now, the franchises have zeroed in on their choices and we at the BCCI are doing our own checks. In the next few days we will zero in on the places to stay at and then coordinate with the franchises. Once we give them the BCCI options, they can discuss their own ones and come to a decision on which are the places they wish to stay in,” the functionary has reportedly said.

The BCCI will be helping the franchisees negotiate deals with the hotels, the official has stated.

For record, the franchisees, broadcasters and other stakeholder will get formal confirmation only after the Government of India nod to move the IPL to the UAE, which is expected by the next week.

Admin Sportz Front

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