In the backdrop of the protests against Sri Lanka in the run-up to the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva where a U.S.-backed resolution will come up for voting, The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association has sought permission from the Chennai Police to conduct IPL matches, beginning here on April 6, says a report in The Hindu.
“The TNCA has submitted an application seeking Public Resort Licence... and we are examining it. No decision has been taken yet…,” a senior police officer said.
The 20 Asian Athletics Championship, scheduled to have been held here in July this year, was cancelled after Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said her government would not host the event since the participation of Sri Lankan athletes would hurt the feelings of the Tamils. When contacted, Sri Lanka Cricket president Upali Dharmadasa dismissed rumours that Sri Lankan players were told to withdraw from the IPL.
According to a report in The Economic Times, the unrest in Tamil Nadu over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue has sparked off apprehensions about the Indian Premier League matches in Chennai next month. BCCI sources said it was considering asking IPL teams to keep Sri Lankan players out of matches in Chennai. However, it has ruled out any threat to Sri Lankan cricketers saying that it there are problems they would be dealt with at that time.
"There is no threat to the IPL. Matches will take place at the scheduled venues. Till now, we haven't seen any threat," IPL Commissioner Rajiv Shukla told reporters on Tuesday. Eight of the nine IPL teams, participating in the series beginning on April 3, have Sri Lankan players.
Chennai is scheduled to host 10 matches in IPL VI. BCCI is also making back-up plans by keeping stadia in four cities free in the event of shifting a match out from one of the scheduled venues.