The UAE leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 Cricket Tournament 2021 could have crowds, subject, of course, to a few conditions.
The UAE Government policy is to permit crowds for the sporting events on the condition that they've been vaccinated. For the record, most of the UAE population has been inoculated. Allowing crowds for the 31 remaining games should not be a major concern for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as well as the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) unless the local government formulates an event-specific rule.
"The vaccinated fans can be allowed up to 50 percent of the [stadium] capacity," a UAE board official said yesterday. Meanwhile, the office-bearers of the BCCI have left for Dubai to finalise arrangements with the ECB as well as the UAE government.
The immediate purpose of the visit is understandable - how to organise the logistical and operational issues of the league, likely to be held from September 19 to October 10 in Abu Dhabi.
The ECB officials feel pulling off the 31 games will not be difficult this time around since they have already had the experience of holding it last year.
Besides, they have sufficient time to manoeuvre - close to 100 days. The problem for them will be how to organise the Men's T20 World Cup as and when the International Cricket Council (ICC) decides.
(Agencies)
