BCCI in contact with UAE airlines

Speaking to IANS, a BCCI functionary in the know of developments said the board is already in touch with the likes of Emirates and Etihad to check on their flying schedules from August onwards as teams will look to head to UAE by that month end.

“The concerned team from BCCI has touched base with UAE airline officials to check how they are planning resumption of flights and if they are planning resumption of operations in Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata among others.

“Apart from the IPL teams, logistics and operations teams from BCCI will also need to head to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to see to it that preparations are on in full swing. IPL is known for the excellence when it comes to operations and this year should be no different. If the UAE airlines don’t start operations, we will look at chartered planes like some of the franchises,” the functionary explained.

Asked about the hotels in the three cities, the functionary said that homework is being done by both the franchises as well as BCCI. “As of now, the franchises have zeroed in on their choices and we at BCCI are doing our own checks. In the next few days, we will zero in on the places to stay at and then coordinate with the franchises. Once we give them the BCCI options, they can discuss their own ones and come to a decision.”