IPL 4 format under review
The IPL’s governing body is scheduled to meet in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820 to deliberate about the format regarding the fourth edition of the tournament to be held in 2011. Along with that, the governing body is expected to discuss the financial requirements for IPL 4 which will only be approved with the due consensus of the house.
The governing body is also analyzing the options of reducing the workload on players by deciding the number of matches to be played in the upcoming tournament. The main focus would remain on financial approvals along with the decision about the total number of matches. With last year’s edition mired in controversies and allegations of financial embezzlements, news about the formulation of new rules and regulations for the next tournament are in the air.
Lalit Modi, the former Chairman of the IPL was sacked in lieu of financial corruption which gave a great set back to the reputation of the tournament. While the initial bidding of players was also marred by controversy with planned rejection of Pakistani players, the later revelation of financial embezzlements shocked the entire world. Whenever any sports have been hijacked by materialism, the result appears no better than what was witnessed after the IPL. Accountability, fairness and proper mechanism of checks and balances must be initiated in order to maintain the sanctity of any sport. It has also been decided that next year’s IPL would experience two additional teams. Similarly a new ratio for matches to be played on a home and away basis would also be chalked out. The ratio has maintained at 60 to 94 matches. The idea to reduce the workload on players came about after a hectic IPL schedule which was blamed for player injuries in the Indian team. Player burn outs were also blamed on the excessive IPL schedule. However, the final decision will off course depend on the various franchises.
One of the IPL members rejected the speculations about abrupt reduction in the number of matches. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi opined that the number of matches may be reviewed for the next league but not this one.
With a reduction in matches, the revenue generation during matches will decrease considerably, something which is against the interest of the franchises. Most stakeholders were happy and excited about the inclusion of two new teams in next editions’ IPL with an eye on greater revenue generation. However, their expectations may fall on their face with an expected reduction in the total number of matches. The decision on the number of matches would be critical and could change the course of this financial extravaganza.
It is pertinent to mention that a meeting between the board and teams was held in June this year to address all stakeholder concerns. In response to the meeting, the BCCI constituted a three member committee comprising Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750. Ten companies have offered their bids for the sponsorship that would be opened in the marketing committee meeting in front of the bidders.
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