IPL to contribute to lifting the happiness index of cricket fans in the UAE

By K.R. Nayar

Given that a large number of cricket fans are excited about the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be held in the UAE, one could go a step further to say that IPL can also lift the Happiness Index of the cricket lovers in the UAE. The UAE Government, which is always looking for opportunities to keep its citizens and residents happy, is expected to support the conduct of the league. There is also a likelihood of fans being allowed entry into the stadium with strict safety measures.  Read the story below…

Happiness Street in Dubai 

The IPL, in all probability, could contribute to boosting the Happiness Index of the UAE. One of the aims of the UAE Government has been to get the country among the top five happiest countries in the world by 2021. An IPL promo video (below) that shows how holding the IPL can contribute to the raising of the general happiness index has been released at the right time. 

In Dubai, there is a ‘Happiness Street’ that stretches along with the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai International Financial Centre, Emirates Towers to the Burj Khalifa district. All government departments have been directed to work towards ensuring the happiness of the people they deal with displaying maximum care and efficiency.

Under these circumstances, there is a possibility that the UAE government may sanction entry of fans into the stadium, provided certain strict safety measures are followed by the authorities at all venues. Musbahir Usmani, General Secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board has stated that the board would be presenting their safety measure plans to the UAE government for approval. Following that, instructions from the UAE government will be strictly adhered to during the league.

Mubashir Usmani

Usmani has also stated: “This is a massive movement of people and equipment and we now need to bring in the experts to discuss all aspects of the UAE hosting the IPL. This includes the Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah Sports Councils, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah Tourism Bodies and the respective Government entities - such as the Police Forces and the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, all who have had strong, proven experience in such activities and we will work together to ascertain the best practices to support and deliver on a successful edition.”

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah Sports Councils are expected to provide all support to the ECB officials. Their respective tourism authorities are also likely to back ECB’s efforts since the IPL is expected to attract people from different parts of the world. This in turn will help tourism authorities showcase the safety measures put in place for tourists in the UAE.

According to information from one of the team franchises, the IPL Governing Council will now meet teams on August 2 and then finalise the schedule. During this meeting, the IPL Governing Council will hand over the protocol measures to be followed by each team member and the support staff during the tournament. All teams will be informed on the maximum number of permitted members in a team contingent to ensure strict safety measures while in the UAE.

It is understood that since players will be in the UAE for close to two months, a few players have expressed their desire to get their families along. An early intimation from players on whether they intend to get their families along would help in making special arrangements for them at the hotels or resorts where the team would be put up during the league.

Since cricket stadiums in the UAE do not have hotels attached to the ground, teams will need to travel by luxury coaches to the stadiums and back. It is likely that drivers of these coaches may not be allowed to interact with outsiders even if the coach driver is expected to be seated in a glassed compartment inside the bus.

Excited Chennai Super Kings fans cheering for their heroes 

Staff at the hotels where the teams will be staying may also have to refrain from leaving their workplace or interacting with the public.  For players, the daily schedule will be from the hotel to the stadium and back. The post-match parties at night, which have been a regular feature of the IPL, may now need prior approval. Franchises will have to agree to follow the safe distancing policy during such meetings.

It is now almost confirmed that training camps of all the teams will be held in the UAE and not in India. Players from England may attend these camps just before the start of the IPL since they would be playing a series against Pakistan in their country. Players participating in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will fly into UAE only after the scheduled final match of the CPL on September 10.