Dubai: The seminar on the impact of Indian Premier League (IPL) held in UAE stressed on the importance of the UAE pitching for more high-profile tournaments and international events like the World Cup.
The seminar on IPL was part of the Host Cities two-day summit from Wednesday at the Ritz Carlton, Jumeirah and was attended by hundred of delegates from different cities of the world.
The speakers at the seminar were Sundar Raman, Chief Executive of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Peter Griffiths, Director of Operations IMG, United Kingdom, David East, Chief Executive of the Emirates Cricket Board and Mackey Dudhia, General Manager Sports and Events Business of Dubai Sports City with K.R. Nayar, Chief Cricket Writer of Gulf News as moderator.
“We were delighted and surprised with the high standard of facilities that were provided for staging the IPL this year. We staged the seventh edition of IPL here due to elections in India and the 20 matches that were held here was a huge success. All the three venues Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi made it special through large turn out and I strongly believe that with such top facilities and response, UAE should pitch for top class world cricketing events,” remarked Raman, who was instrumental in allotting the event to UAE.
East, who ensured the successful conduct of the event coordinating with all three venues and the IPL governing council, said: “We have proved that we are capable of transforming high profile events into a success. Pakistan Cricket Board have been using our venues for their home matches since 2009. We would definitely like to host World Cup events though a full World Cup with three venues is probably doubtful, but certainly we can stage a Twenty20 World Cup here.” The Champions Trophy and Twenty20 World Cups are often held using three venues.
Griffiths felt that UAE made hosting the IPL so simple. “All three venues were very comfortable for everyone. The longest distance was just one-and-a-half hours away. No where you can reach stadiums so quickly and that is UAE’s biggest advantage,” said Griffiths.
Raman hailed the practice facilities in the UAE as the best especially with the ICC Academy providing the world class amenities at the Dubai Sports City.
Mackey, of Dubai Sports City, said: “Families turned out in large number for IPL and created a special atmosphere. The government of UAE’s support contributed hugely to IPL’s success especially in providing visas in short notice. The visit of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for the IPL match and the lap of honour around the stadium done by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Chairman of the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare and President of Emirates Cricket Board left a lasting impression.”
