In the event of the massive outbreak of the deadly coronavirus, the BCCI is likely to host the upcoming two ODIs between India and South Africa behind closed doors. The Indian Premier League, slated to be held from March 29, too might be played in front of empty stadiums. The Indian sports ministry had earlier announced today that it had given a circular to all sporting bodies in the nation to “ensure that no public gathering takes place in any sporting event” in the country.
There are many confusions amongst the athletes at this moment. Two Advisories are issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for matches abroad and the domestic. There's no restrictions on playing but guidelines to be followed strictly in the larger interest of health. pic.twitter.com/RoohGcsOma
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) March 12, 2020
The advisory also added that if sporting matches cannot be cancelled, it should be played in front of empty venues. This could mean that the last two ODIs between the Proteas and the Men in Blue, to be played on March 15 and March 18 at Lucknow and Kolkata respectively, will be played without any fans.
“You are advised to adhere to the advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and ensure that no public gathering takes place in any sporting event,” the Government of India release read.
“In the event, the sporting event cannot be avoided, the same could be done without allowing the gathering of people, including spectators.”
The IPL Governing Council will meet on Saturday to discuss whether they can hold or postpone the thirteenth season of the IPL. The BCCI, on its part, has taken strict measures while hosting the ongoing South Africa-India series, briefing the media, players, coaches and the broadcasters according to the guidelines that had been handed by the WHO and the government.
The BCCI also asked the cricketers to stay away from the fans and limit conversations with them. Taking selfies with the spectators was also deemed a strict no-no.
According to the World Health Organization is a pandemic, affecting 120,000 people worldwide, resulting in 4300 deaths. However, health experts in China have stated that the disease could fizzle out by June this year.
