IPL GC agenda: Members to get update on government's green light, Chinese sponsorship deals

New Delhi, August 1

The IPL governing council will be updated on the status of necessary government approvals for hosting the T20 league in the UAE when the members meet on Sunday apart from deliberating a foolproof SOP on health safety along with a discussion on the Chinese sponsorships.

While the BCCI is all set to shift the league to the United Arab Emirates, it is learnt that status of government's clearance is top-most in the 10-point agenda of the Brijesh Patel-led governing council.

It is expected that president Sourav Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah, both of whose "cooling off waiver" case is in Supreme Court will be attending the meeting as permanent invitees along with treasurer Arun Dhumal and joint secretary Jayesh George.

"We have a meeting tomorrow but everyone is awaiting the clearances from the Home Ministry as well as the External Affairs Ministry for the tournament to be shifted to the UAE," a senior BCCI official abreast with GC developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

It is learnt that the fate of VIVO, the Chinese mobile company which pays Rs 440 crore for title sponsorship will also come up for discussion.

The most important aspect will be the SOP that will be handed to the franchises for Monday's discussion where they can raise their concerns.

The SOP is around a 240-page document that has been prepared and will be shared with the franchises. It includes all health safety related measures including the number of COVID tests that will be conducted and how the bio-bubble will be created.

There will be directives on Squad Strength (likely to be capped at 40, including players, support staff and management team).

While BCCI's SOP can be upgraded by the franchises, they in no way can downgrade it.

It has been learnt that BCCI will let franchises decide on whether they would allow families (wives, partners, children) to travel with the players or not.

"The BCCI will only negotiate with the hotels and try to provide them with discount rates but it's the franchise that needs to create the bubble as per SOP."

The BCCI brass will also be meeting the team of experts assigned by the England and Wales Cricket Board to create the bio-secure environment for the just concluded series against West Indies along with upcoming one against Pakistan and the ongoing against Ireland. - PTI

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