Amid Coronavirus outbreak, BCCI postpones IPL 2020 to Apr 15
Mumbai/IBNS: Amid the outbreak of the deadly Novel Coronavirus, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has postponed the 13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) to Apr 15.
The tournament was earlier scheduled to begin on Mar 29.
The Coronavirus has already affected 74 people in India and claimed the life of a 76-year old man from Karnataka.
Issuing a statement, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said, "The BCCI is concerned and sensitive about all its stakeholders, and public health in general, and it is taking all necessary steps to ensure that, all people related to IPL including fans have a safe cricketing experience.
The BCCI will work closely with the Government of India along with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and all other relevant Central and State Government departments in this regard."
🚨Announcement🚨: #VIVOIPL suspended till 15th April 2020 as a precautionary measure against the ongoing Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) situation.
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 13, 2020
More details âž¡ï¸ https://t.co/hR0R2HTgGg pic.twitter.com/azpqMPYtoL
The 13th edition of IPL became uncertain first after the Indian government suspended all visas, except the diplomatic, official ones, till Apr 15 as no foreign player would be able to play in the mega tournament.
As many as 60 international players are likely to play in the 13th edition of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government has said it will not allow any IPL match to be held in the national capital this year as a preventive measure.
All sports activity, seminars , conferences, sports activities that involve large gathering including IPL matches are banned in Delhi : Dy CM @msisodia pic.twitter.com/4vfRHK6Vxl
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 13, 2020
The announcement was made by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
Several former cricketers have spoken in favour of suspending IPL over the outbreak of the Coronavirus, which has been declared as "pandemic" by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
India's first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev told media, "IPL will be played in future as well and it should be played. But for the moment, nothing is more important that people's lives."
"Carrying on with IPL is not a pragmatic idea at the moment," former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan told News 18.
Regarding the hosting of IPL and other sporting events, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday said, "Our view is that this is a decision to be taken by the organisers. No specific recommendations have been sought or made by MEA regarding hosting IPL or any other sporting event in India."
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