If only we had the IPL here

Richard DWIGHT

One isn't quite sure as to whether we did really explore the possibilities of hosting the IPL cricket matches here in Sri Lanka.

Especially when the environment, for well-known reasons, was in no way conducive to staging it in either India or Pakistan.

Presumptuous as it would seem, the option however could have been to hold the matches in Sri Lanka. For the reason that the atmosphere prevailing right now here, is comparatively very much better with the civil conflict now ebbing away to recede, with security too, being beefed up considerably.

On the other hand, if we did make a concerted effort and, in the process succeeded in having the matches played here. Then it would have, whilst giving the country a much needed morale boosting lift, also served to be a propitious venture, with the generating of revenue to make it a viable exercise.

Such thinking stems from the assumption, that the requirement of rooms in the local hotel will be around 9000. This is based on the understanding, that the tournament will involve 40 days, with the 8 teams each having a contingent of 30 persons.

It could also be argued, that followers of cricket in the subcontinent and yet others, could find it much easier, to come over here for 2 to 3 night packages to witness upto 4 IPL games, than go over to Cape Town, Johanesburg or Durban.

Not forgetting as well, that the IPL matches coincides with school holidays in India, where parents could have chosen Sri Lanka as their holiday destination for this year.

We are not overlooking the fact that there would be the avenues to provide transport, and services in catering and security. All this and more, would have gone a long way to bolster the revenue of the respective Sri Lankan companies and hotels and enhance the image of the country, with a particular emphasis on the tourist industry.

Alas! a fine opportunity, virtually at our doorstep was missed. Viewed in its entirety our need was greater than South Africa's. Verily it might be said, that our loss, was South Africa's gain.