According to reports in the cricket news, when Lalit Modi, chairman of the Indian Premier League landed in South Africa recently, the weather was cool, sunny and bright. By contrast England was rainy, chilly and dull. This is an important factor among those considered:

Weather

These seemed to be precursors to what may follow since there was an estimated 70% chance of rain interrupting matches. So weather wise, South Africa certainly wins out over the Emerald Isle to host an international cricket tournament such as IPL.

(Read Cricket360 related article "Change of Venue Adds to the Cost of Franchises")

 

Costs and Logistical Availability
England is among the most expensive places to visit, and things like internal travel and costs of hotel accommodation are things that really add to costs. While May is the start of tourist season in England, it is also the start of the domestic cricket season, making availability of hotel accommodation both difficult and very expensive as well.  Availability of stadiums and venues for the IPL’s Twenty20 matches would also be a difficulty seeing the fact that the domestic season will be underway at the time that IPL Season 2 would be played. Additionally the rand (South African currency) is more favourable against the rupee.

Security
While the English police expressed concerns over providing security for the IPL T20 matches South Africa as a venue will offer few security concerns as Nicholls Steyn, the South African security agency which has a tie up with IPL and was earlier scheduled to provide a security cover in India, will take care of players’ security there too. The South African tourism ministry and cricket board have also offered full support to the IPL.

TV Rights
Had IPL Season 2 been held in England there was likely going to be a vexed problem as regards TV rights: Sky Sport who holds the rights to the entire cricket to be played in England would not have taken a kind view of another big ticket tournament impinging on its turf so to speak. By contrast SuperSport of South Africa has no such problems since it has the rights to the IPL as well as all international cricket played in the country.

Why it is in South Africa’s Favour
South Africa are keen to send the signal that it is an ideal sporting destination, with the soccer world cup scheduled next year. There is also the matter of revenue generation from the kind of high visibility generated by the IPL.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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