All to ‘cheer’ for in IPL 7
Dalmiya had resolved to eliminate dancing girls from IPL matches. That has turned out an empty promise.
In the heat and dust surrounding the matchfixing scandal in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the mandarins of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had made some bold promises and lofty claims. They had audaciously declared a clean-up operation for Indian cricket and a certain Jagmohan Dalmiya, then head of the BCCI, even reeled out a long list of measures that would be taken up to “cleanse Indian cricket.” How times have changed? Or is it the men in charge who have changed?
Whatever!
The seventh edition of the IPL, starting on April 16, will have the cheer girls in all their glow and made-up elegance. The BCCI has given the go-ahead to the franchises to have their cheering squads ready. A confirmation to this development came from both franchises and the IPL officials. “Yes, there will be cheer leaders,” Raghu Iyer, the CEO of Rajasthan Royals, said.
Almost similar was the reply of IPL chairman Ranjib Biswal. “When were they banned from the IPL,” he asked. Reminded that Dalmiya had vowed to eliminate cheer girls from the league, Biswal shot back, “Then ask Mr Dalmiya. I’ve nothing more to say.” Dalmiya, himself, could not be reached for a comment.
Temporarily, the BCCI had kept its words. During the Champions League Twenty20, that was held a few months after the IPL, the organisers had dispensed with the cheer leaders. Now, of course, the dancing girls will be back.
There were doubts if the laws of the United Arab Emirates will allow cheer girls during the matches but a spokesman for the Sharjah Cricket Stadium said there would be no problem on that count. “The teams can have cheer girls during IPL. We have had discussions with the IPL authorities in this regard and that will not be an issue,” Mazhar Khan, an official with Sharjah stadium, said.
So, the stages are being built in the desert cities of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah so that foreign imports can showcase their dancing and rhythmic skills.
Mumbai yet to convey readiness
Meanwhile, the IPL is all set for India return. After its stint in the Middle East from April 16 to 30, the Twenty20 extravaganza is ready to hit the Indian grounds from May 1.
The BCCI had kept Bangladesh as standbye for the second phase of the tournament from May 1 to 11, but the signals emanating from certain states, where the general elections would have been over, are ready to stage the league.
Gujarat, Orissa and Jharkhand, which are regular IPL centres, are believed to have written back BCCI that their respective state governments are ready to provide security for the league.
Interestingly, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is yet to convey its preparedness to host the event. The MCA has written to the city police commissioner if security for the IPL matches can be arranged but the association is yet to receive a formal reply. “We’re awaiting a reply from the police,” said Nitin Dalal, MCA joint secretary. Mumbai goes to polls on April 24.
Sanjay Patel in trouble
BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel is facing revolt on his home turf. News is that the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) president Samarjit Gaekwad could decide on Patel’s continuation as the association secretary.
A meeting has been called for Friday evening. However, it is learnt that there is no immediate threat to his post as the secretary of the BCCI.
In the heat and dust surrounding the matchfixing scandal in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the mandarins of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had made some bold promises and lofty claims. They had audaciously declared a clean-up operation for Indian cricket and a certain Jagmohan Dalmiya, then head of the BCCI, even reeled out a long list of measures that would be taken up to “cleanse Indian cricket.” How times have changed? Or is it the men in charge who have changed?
Whatever!
One of the promises, in fact the first of many promises of Dalmiya, was to eliminate sleaze from the IPL. There will be no cheer girls in the IPL, Dalmiya had said. One thought he had the endorsement from his colleagues in the BCCI. It has now turned out to be an empty promise.
The seventh edition of the IPL, starting on April 16, will have the cheer girls in all their glow and made-up elegance. The BCCI has given the go-ahead to the franchises to have their cheering squads ready. A confirmation to this development came from both franchises and the IPL officials. “Yes, there will be cheer leaders,” Raghu Iyer, the CEO of Rajasthan Royals, said.
Almost similar was the reply of IPL chairman Ranjib Biswal. “When were they banned from the IPL,” he asked. Reminded that Dalmiya had vowed to eliminate cheer girls from the league, Biswal shot back, “Then ask Mr Dalmiya. I’ve nothing more to say.” Dalmiya, himself, could not be reached for a comment.
Temporarily, the BCCI had kept its words. During the Champions League Twenty20, that was held a few months after the IPL, the organisers had dispensed with the cheer leaders. Now, of course, the dancing girls will be back.
There were doubts if the laws of the United Arab Emirates will allow cheer girls during the matches but a spokesman for the Sharjah Cricket Stadium said there would be no problem on that count. “The teams can have cheer girls during IPL. We have had discussions with the IPL authorities in this regard and that will not be an issue,” Mazhar Khan, an official with Sharjah stadium, said.
So, the stages are being built in the desert cities of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah so that foreign imports can showcase their dancing and rhythmic skills.
Mumbai yet to convey readiness
Meanwhile, the IPL is all set for India return. After its stint in the Middle East from April 16 to 30, the Twenty20 extravaganza is ready to hit the Indian grounds from May 1.
The BCCI had kept Bangladesh as standbye for the second phase of the tournament from May 1 to 11, but the signals emanating from certain states, where the general elections would have been over, are ready to stage the league.
Gujarat, Orissa and Jharkhand, which are regular IPL centres, are believed to have written back BCCI that their respective state governments are ready to provide security for the league.
Interestingly, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is yet to convey its preparedness to host the event. The MCA has written to the city police commissioner if security for the IPL matches can be arranged but the association is yet to receive a formal reply. “We’re awaiting a reply from the police,” said Nitin Dalal, MCA joint secretary. Mumbai goes to polls on April 24.
Sanjay Patel in trouble
BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel is facing revolt on his home turf. News is that the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) president Samarjit Gaekwad could decide on Patel’s continuation as the association secretary.
A meeting has been called for Friday evening. However, it is learnt that there is no immediate threat to his post as the secretary of the BCCI.
