Indian Premier League (IPL) matches have attracted massive turnouts since its birth in 2008. The mad fans and loud stadiums are one of the major attractions of the cash-rich league which has turned out to be a global event. However, the upcoming edition of IPL might lose its fans after speculations going around that matches can be played closed-doors amidst coronavirus threat.
The epidemic has rocked the entire world causing shutdown to many sporting events. More than 35 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the country. Various organisations are adopting various measures to prevent it from spreading. Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also given a green signal to IPL with some precautions. However, some key stakeholders in the IPL are urging closed-door matches in the wake of the outbreak.
As per reports in the Business Standard, the stakeholders want no ticket sales to minimise the coronavirus risk. With the tournament just weeks away, the health ministry has already flagged its concerns to the sports ministry. A meeting is expected between the brass of the BCCI and the health ministry next week.
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The news comes in the wake of BCCI President Sourav Ganguly confident of hosting the cash-rich league as per schedule starting from March 29. The report further adds the there is a growing concern as so many peoples health will be at stake along with a large amount of money.
“There will obviously be concern about the health impact when 30,000 to 40,000 fans are in one stadium for so many hours for the next seven weeks across the country. One way out is to follow what many other countries are doing in Europe and what people are planning to do in the US, that is, to have closed-door matches with no ticket sales,” said a top executive of one of the companies closely involved with the IPL.
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The revenue generated from ticket sales of IPL matches constitute only one percent of the total revenue generated. If needed, BCCI can bear that cost to avoid casualties in massive numbers.
