UAE's cricket board gets clearance from Indian counterpart to host IPL

ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates' cricket governing body, the Emirates Cricket Board, confirmed on Thursday it has received an official clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India to host the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, said, "We feel extremely privileged to host what could be considered the pinnacle event of our favorite sport. The magnitude of being in a position to bring the IPL to the vast cricket-loving global community, during current events that have greatly impacted our daily lives, is one we take with extreme importance."

"This is undoubtedly the highest-profile cricketing-event to be held in the UAE and our team will continue to support all facets (of the tournament) and work toward delivering a successful event for the enjoyment of all sports-fans; here in the UAE, in India, and across the world."

Scheduled to be played from Sept.19, 2020 through to Nov. 10, 2020, the IPL will be played across the UAE — Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

"The UAE is well-versed in delivering successful events — sporting and lifestyle — and we remain in very close contact with the BCCI, IPL committees, the UAE Government and Ministries, our Health Authority, as well as many other entities, who are all experts in their respective fields and it is our collective intent that the tournament is played in a safe, enjoyable environment. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring the ‘IPL 2020’ to the UAE," added Sheikh Nahyan who is also the UAE's minister of tolerance and coexistence. — WAM