Sri Lanka keen to host IPL games for revenue boost – Cricket News Update
Sri Lankan cricket authorities are arranging to host some of the next Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in a bid to get a little chunk from the massive funds of the high-profile event to meet their budget deficit which is hampering their players’ salaries.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s new-appointed president, Upali Dharmadasa, is in contact with his Indian counterpart, convincing him to shift some of the league games to the Lankan venues. The sole objective of this move is to collect some money to run the board and
pay the players their dues.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not shown consent in this regard so far, but a deal is expected within a few days.
Dharmadasa is of the view that Sri Lanka is situated a stone’s throw from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 and the IPL players and fans can easily travel between the two counties, so the BCCI should not have any issues in holding the games overseas.
In his interaction with the media today, the president said, “I feel it (a T20 league) is a needed thing. But I don't think it is the right time with India having the IPL. With most of our players going and playing there and the countries being so close,
I would request the Indian board, and we have already started talking, why not play a couple of matches in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758?"
He further said, “On the whole, they (the BCCI) will help Sri Lanka as a tourist attraction and see that Sri Lanka Cricket comes up."
Another reason, along with financial problems, for SLC’s demand to host IPL matches is the cancellation of the inaugural edition of the Sri Lankan Premier League (SLPL). Designed on the footprints of the IPL, the tournament, which was scheduled to be held
in July 2011, was called off due to some managerial issues and BCCI’s reluctance to allow Indian players to go for it.
By hosting the IPL event, SLC is keen to pave the way for first successful edition of its own brand.
Remember, the IPL managers have held one of its four seasons overseas in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 so far.
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