IPL players and officials need to download the Covid-19 Dubai Smart App

By K.R. Nayar

Instructions on the norms to be followed by IPL players and officials in the UAE will include downloading of the Covid-19 Dubai (DXB) Smart App. A health insurance that covers treatment in the UAE may also be needed for players and officials.

India's two top batsmen as captains add to the excitement

IPL players, support staff and all those associated with the league may have to download the Covid-19 Dubai (DXB) Smart App on arrival in the UAE for the 13th Edition of the league set to held from September 19 to November 8. Franchises will soon receive intimations on the procedures to be followed in the UAE.

The Emirates Cricket Board may have to present a dossier to the IPL Governing Council on the norms to be followed here, and among them priority will be downloading of this Smart App. All those who will be coming for the IPL will have to follow the health and safety protocol that will be mentioned in the App.

Since tourists coming to the UAE have already been instructed to get a health insurance that covers Covid-19 treatment in the country, all players and officials will also need to have such an insurance. IPL teams are likely to receive this information from the IPL governing council on the insurance matter.

Everyone arriving for the IPL will also have to carry with them a negative Covid-19 test report. Most cricketers coming from India will be following this instruction, but if cricketers from other countries arrive without such a test report, then it will need to be taken here immediately on arrival. Only under these circumstances will any player or official be asked to quarantine till the test results are declared.

Rajasthan Royals players with the Dubai's Expo 2020 logo on their team jersey   

Once the Indian government gives sanction for the IPL to be held in the UAE, then the ECB will present the various safety measures they would follow during the league to the UAE government for approval.  It is understood that IPL franchises are extremely happy with the training facilities awaiting them in the UAE.  The two Oval grounds at the ICC Academy and Abu Dhabi Zayed cricket stadium will be kept spic and span for training as well as practice matches. The ICC Academy itself has 38 wickets for training. Sharjah Cricket Stadium’s net practice facility, next to the pavilion, also awaits the IPL players.

All teams are expected to be staying in Dubai as well as Abu Dhabi’s top hotels. The short travel time between venues in the UAE is one of the big attractions for players and officials especially under the present circumstances.

Sunrisers Hyderabad team heroes strike a  pose

Permission for hospitality boxes, one of the major attractions of the IPL where VIPs would be seated, is being sought. Cricketers set to play in the IPL have already expressed their happiness over news of the fall in Covid-19 cases in the UAE. Many have informed that they will follow strict safety measures even if a bio-bubble is not created during the league. As mentioned in this blog a few days ago, one of IPL’s top official has confirmed that a medical team will carry out a study on the creation of a bio-secure environment in the stadiums. 


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