This weekend may be a sell out for the DLF IPL in South Africa but there is still the challenge ahead to fill stadium throughout the 59 matches of this years’ IPL. This will entail calling upon the support of the South African fans and also the Indian Diaspora or the NRI population in South Africa which, it is expected will be out in force all during the tournament.

Lalit Modi also expressed the view that this was an opportunity to showcase India to the Rainbow nation and also to showcase South Africa to India. Though the IPL is essentially domestic cricket, this will give the opportunity to bring a new audience and add a new demographic to the sport. Referring to the IPL event as a carnival of cricket Modi said that this would be a memorable event for all to remember, with the support of the people of South Africa and the combined efforts of the IPL family.

Sponsorships were a worry for IPL organisers who have now cause to give thanks to their central sponsors: DLF, Kingfisher Airlines, Vodafone, Citi and Hero Honda so Modi extended a warm Thanks to the IPL sponsors for their faith and continued support to the IPL. Cricket South Africa also came in for special thanks due to their support in terms of offering their stadium to the IPL for their T20 matches.

The South African people had extended a warm welcome to the IPL and he was thankful of this. If he was thankful to the people of South Africa he was also thankful to the cricket fans in India for their support and their understanding. The IPL will of course be watched in India and Modi said that he was looking forward to bringing the IPL back to India next season.

This year the IPL will be in South Africa but with and Indian flavour, next year it is hoped that it will be in India and with a decidedly Indian flavour!

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

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