Indian Premier League has featured big in world’s sports calendar; thanks to Shane Warne’s IPL team for running away with the trophy in the first year of Indian Premier League. The success of the Jaipur Franchise in the previous season put them in the early race for getting the nomination at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards, where world’s legendary sports personalities brush their shoulders with fellow achievers. They are in the race for the nomination in the category of world team of the year 2008.

The Laureus World Sports Academy, shines with such international cricket stars as former Australia captain Steve Waugh and former Indian captain Kapil Dev. They along with 44 other sports personalities would select the winners by secret ballot. Already a long list of contenders for nomination in the world team of the year category has been announced by the awards organizers. The final list will contain six nominations in each category. A panel of leading sports editors, writers and broadcasters from more than 120 countries vote to make up the final list of the nominations.

Other than the team of the year category, the other nomination categories include sportsman, sportswoman, breakthrough and comeback of the year. The nominees, venue and date for 2009 Laureus World Sports Awards will be announced on April 16. However, Rajasthan Royals will have strong contenders in South Africa's cricket team and South African rugby team in the list of possible nominees in this category. While South Africa has been chosen for becoming the first side in 16 years to win a Test series in Australia, their rugby counterpart that won the last year’s title are sure to give tough competition to the nominees from the world of cricket.

 

Meanwhile, the defending champions of IPL Season 1 however decided to make their base at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town. The Shane Warne led team has signed strategic partnership agreements with South African Pro 20 Champions Nashua Cape Cobras as well as Western Province Cricket Association, owners of Sahara Park Newlands. The Twenty-20 champions of each country will face each other on April 11 and 12 in an exciting two match T20 “Clash of the Champions” tournament.

(Read Cricket360 related article "IPL in South Africa- Schedule Unveiled")

 

Manoj Badale, Chairman and co-owner of Rajasthan Royals, said, “We are delighted to be working with the Nashua Cape Cobras at Sahara Park Newlands during our IPL tournament preparation. It’s a great venue, and the ‘Clash of the Champions’ will be an exciting contest.” The partnership between the cricket outfits of these two countries is expected to yield expanding cricketing and sponsorship opportunities and open up the opportunities for player exchanges between the two teams. It is sure to contribute to the enhancement of sporting relations between India and South Africa.

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

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