By IANS,
Mumbai : The Indian Premier League (IPL) will be held outside the country following the authorities’ inability to provide security if the hugely popular contest coincides with general elections, the Indian cricket board announced Sunday.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which did not reveal the new venue.
BCCI said it was in consultation with cricket boards of other countries and would come out with a detailed itinerary so on.
“Many cricket boards have expressed their interest (in hosting IPL) and we are in talks with them,” BCCI president Shashank Manohar told reporters.
BCCI said it was forced to take the decision because the government failed to give an assurance about providing foolproof security to the tournament that draws players from the cricketing world.
“Earlier the governments of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh had said they have no problems in holding IPL matches. But yesterday they said they are not in a position to provide security till the elections (get over).
“We have been forced to move IPL outside India because of the attitude of the government, especially the Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh governments.”
Security for the IPL became a major issue ever since terrorists who India says were from Pakistan slaughtered over 170 people in Mumbai in November last year. The security forces would be bogged down during April and May because of the Lok Sabha elections.