The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) administering the BCCI has decided to cancel the opening ceremony of the 12th edition of the IPL and allocate the money budgeted for it to the armed forces in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.
Throwing light on the matter, CoA Chairman Vinod Rai said: "As a federation, we felt it was best not to hold a regular IPL opening ceremony. Instead, we decided to contribute the amount towards a cause that is so important and close to everyone's heart."
The estimated cost of hosting an IPL opening ceremony, a traditional grand spectacle, is Rs 20 crore. It was unanimously decided that a sum of Rs 11 crore be contributed to the Indian Army, Rs 7 crore to the CRPF and Rs 1 crore each to the Navy and Air Force respectively.
Diana Edulji, a member of CoA, said: "This comes as a welcome move and as a mark of respect to the ones who lost their lives in the terror attack. The BCCI has always been sensitive towards issues of national interest and will continue to make contributions whenever the need arises."
"The national interest is of utmost importance to us. We understand the sentiments of the people and the families that have been affected by the Pulwama attack and martyred in operations in J & K, Northeast and anti-Naxal operations or otherwise during the course of their Duty," Lieutenant General Ravindra Thodge, a member of CoA said.
"We respect and admire our Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces. This move was our way of showing solidarity and making a contribution in whatever capacity possible," Thodge added.
Chennai Super Kings will face off Royal Challengers Bangalore in the curtain raiser today at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 8:00 pm (IST).
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