If Unavoidable IPL 2020 Should Be Played Behind Closed Doors: Government

On Thursday, the sports ministry made it clear to all the boards to not conduct any events amidst coronavirus break out. It certainly means that the board should conduct such events behind closed doors without public gatherings in the stadium. Literally, which is impossible for a tournament like the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is considered as the festival in India.

The Governing Council of the IPL will meet in Mumbai on Saturday — to discuss the threat of the coronavirus outbreak that’s set to affect the IPL’s 13th edition.

The decision came on a day when the Maharashtra government discussed a proposal to stage the IPL matches behind closed doors, including the season opener and the final.

Currently, 62 people have been tested positive for COVID 19 in India with a sizeable number being Italian tourists.

As per reports, foreign players will not be allowed to play in the tournament till April 15, due to the suspension of visas to India.

The state government has to manage the crowd –

Speaking to IANS, Union Sports Secretary Radhey Shyam Julaniya has made it clear that if a sports event is unavoidable and has to be organised, it should be done ensuring there is no public gathering.

“All national federations, including the BCCI, have been told to adhere to the guidelines and advisory issued by the ministry of health and public welfare. We have also told them to avoid any public gathering and if a sporting event has to be organised, it should be done without gathering of people,” the statement read.

“It is the state government who has to manage the crowd and who have the power under the epidemic diseases act (Epidemic Act of 1897). If it is unavoidable and it has to be organised, then they should do it without collecting the crowd,” he pointed.

Well, it would be interesting to see how things would pan out. Most likely, the IPL will have a major impact because of the virus breakout.