New Delhi - India's cricket board Sunday announced that the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament will be staged abroad owing to the authorities' inability to provide security as the event coincides with country's general elections. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which said it will reveal the new venue in the "next couple of days."
Media reports citing BCCI sources said South Africa or Britain would be the venue for the second edition of the IPL.
"Because of the attitude of the government that they are not ready to spare security forces for the cricket tournament. We are forced to take the decision to move the event out of India," BCCI President Shashank Manohar told a press conference in Mumbai.
"We are in discussion with other boards who are willing to host the event. I apologize to the people of India for moving the tournament out," Manohar said.
South African cricketing officials confirmed Sunday that they had received an official request to possibly host the tournament.
"We received an official approach this morning to be one of several options they are considering to host the tournament outside India," the CEO of Cricket South Africa Gerald Majola is quoted as saying by the South African Press Association.
"At this stage we are looking forward to holding discussions with IPL officials to discuss the proposal in detail," he said.
The tournament which draws top players from the cricketing world will be played on its original dates between April 10 and May 24, BCCI officials added.
The government said it could not provide security for the tournament as the dates clash with the five-phase elections between April 16 and May 13.
