New Delhi (NVI): In view of the coronavirus outbreak, the government has advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) against conducting the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) slated to start from March 29, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said today.
While stating this, Dammu Ravi, Additional Secretary in the MEA said it was ultimately for the organisers to decide.
“Our advice would be to not do it at this time but if they want to go ahead, it is their decision,” he said at a media briefing here when asked whether holding of IPL would be feasible in view of coronavirus outbreak since a number of foreign players also participate.
“I think it is for the organisers to decide whether to go ahead with it or not,” Ravi said.
The IPL is scheduled to commence from March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The MEA also informed that India has received request for help from four countries for providing masks and protective gears because of coronavirus outbreak.
“We have received requests from Bhutan, Iran, Maldives and Italy for assistance with masks and protective gears. We are processing these request,” External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at the media briefing.
In February, India sent a consignment to China, he recalled.
