"Due to the attitude of the government that it cannot provide security for the tournament, we are forced to take a decision to move the IPL out of India. I apologize to the people of India for moving the tournament out," BCCI chief Shashank Manohar was quoted by the newspaper.
The BCCI had failed to get government clearance for security cover despite revising the match dates three times because the tournament clashes with the country´s general election, to be held between April 16 and May 13.
The IPL will be played on its original dates, between April 10 and May 24, and is scheduled to return to India next season.
"But we´re going ahead with the event so that they can at least watch the event on television," Mahohar added.
According to Press Trust of India (PTI), IPL Commissioner and Chairman Lalit Modi said the number of matches, format and timing of the event will remain unchanged and the organizers would not tinker with the ‘integrity of the tournament’.
"Dates and timings of the matches will remain the same. The Indian audiences can watch the matches at 4 pm and 8 pm IST as they did in the inaugural season," Modi said. “A final decision on the IPL dates and venues will be announced on Monday”, he said.
"Revenue cannot be an issue, the 59-match tournament will remain as 59-match tournament. The issue is the integrity of the tournament. We want to ensure the quality which we deliver and it cannot be compromised. We have to deliver the world standard event," he said.
Manohar also expressed his displeasure at the state governments´ attitude, saying Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra Government changed their stance at the last moment.
"The AP government revoked its earlier permission and Maharashtra Chief Minister wrote a letter that we can´t host matches in that state until May 13. We had scheduled 18 matches for Maharashtra," he said.
Asked if franchise were also taken into the confidence before taking the decision, Manohar said ‘the franchise would want the tournament to go ahead’.
Meanwhile, a BCCI press release, said it was not possible to hold the event on any other dated that the original schedule due to busy international calendar. "The BCCI is conscious of the general elections, which will be held between April 16 and May 13, 2009. The BCCI has had several discussions with the Ministry of Home Affairs on the scheduling of IPL matches.
"...It is pertinent to understand that within the present International calendar of events, there is no other window for IPL to be played during this year. Immediately after conclusion of the IPL, the teams will play in England on May 25 for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup commencing from June 2.
"After the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, the Indian team will play four ODIs in the West Indies after which, the team will tour Zimbabwe for a tri-series involving Zimbabwe and South Africa.
"In September, India would play Champions Trophy in South Africa, following which would be the Champions League. Between October 2009 and March 2010, there are three home series against Australia, Sri Lanka and South Africa," it said.
South Africa and England are the two countries being considered as the likely venues. Earlier, South Africa was considered as one of the alternate venue and according to various reports emerging out of South Africa, Wanderers, Centurion and Potchefstroom are likely venues for the mega event if South Africa takes over the tournament this year..
Lords and Oval are likely to be venues of the matches if England hosts the tournament.
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