IPL 2009

MYSORE: With the dates of the general elections and the Indian Premier League (IPL) conflicting, the coordinators of the IPL decided upon staging
the tournament in South Africa where the second season of the month long tournament is all set to commence from this weekend. But is the decision to shift the venue of the cricket extravaganza out of the country a logical one or would it upset India's reputation? Here is what the city's young cricket buffs have to say.

The organizers of the IPL took a wrong decision. They could have rather waited for the elections to get over and held the match later. As a result of their decision, the country is now bound to face revenue loss at this time of recession. Also, if they held the tournament in India, many cricket stadiums at home would have witnessed a facelift which is not possible now.

Ravi Nandan K S, BPEd ( Bachelor in physical education), student, department of physical education, University of Mysore

It is unfortunate that IPL is being hosted elsewhere this year. By shifting the tournament's venue, the organizers are sending across a false message to other countries that India isn't a secure country. That apart, at South Africa, they cannot even expect a big crowd of viewers like in India. We have already seen that the stadium at SA was almost empty in the IPL warm up match whereas in India the stadiums get filled up even for the warm up matches. If they held it here, the players could have enjoyed better encouragement too.

Chetan U M, BPEd student, UOM

Had they held the tournament a little later and in India, the players who have just returned from New Zealand after playing a series could have rested a little. They would get a good break and could have probably played better too. Even the viewers would have enjoyed better then.

Ravi Shastri, BPEd student, UOM

Hosting the IPL in South Africa will affect the viewers here as there would be a change in timings. Many cricket enthusiasts are already disappointed. Also, several Indians who were probably longing to match the match live will be disheartened now. That also proves that it would be an economic loss to our country.

Puttaswamy, BPEd student, UOM

The shifting of the IPL venue shows where our country is heading. The organizers of the IPL had to finally give in as our politicians did not seem to be bothered about retaining the event in the country. It is all about money for our politicians. Had it brought profit to the government, they would have surely tried their best to hold the tournament here.

Gowrishankar H T, BPEd, UOM

The organizers of IPL can certainly not expect as many viewers they could have looked forward to in India. It is sad that the elections and IPL dates clashed but the tournament would have had a special charm had it been hosted in our country. Now, it seems like it is just another television series.