'In the interest of the nation': Kiren Rijiju welcome postponement of IPL

Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday said postponement of Indian Premier League (IPL) is in interest of nation. BCCI on Friday postponed IPL to April 15 as a precautionary measure in view of COVID-19 outbreak.  BCCI stated that it was concerned about all its stakeholders and public health in general, and it was taking all necessary steps to ensure that, all people related to IPL including fans have a safe cricketing experience. 

Speaking to ANI, Rijiju spoke about advisory issued to all  sports federations and stated that health must be priority for everybody. Union Minister furr stated that al sports federations have also been instructed to ensure that large number of people gar for any event.

"We had issued an advisory to all  sports federations including BCCI. So, it is good that y have postponed it. It is in interest of nation. It is a health concern, which must be a priority for everybody," Rijiju said.

"In India, issue of Coronavirus being spread around is something, which is very close to our heart because we have to be very careful. When Government of India at highest level has taken a decision, we have asked all Sports Federations to ensure that re is large number of people garing for event because that may help spread virus," he added.

Talking about players who are out of country to play for different tournaments, Rijiju said, "I have repeatedly clarified. PV Sindhu also called me up. I have also tweeted that those players who are playing outside, especially for those tournaments which are very important for Olympic qualification, y can continue to play. y have to follow guidelines of those respective countries and y have to maintain certain measures, which will ensure that y are safe."

Meanwhile,  total number of positive cases in India has risen up to 82 and two death have been reported so far. 

READ: India-South Africa remaining ODI series called off amid Coronavirus scare

BCCI Prez Sourav Ganguly on IPL postponement 

In his first response after BCCI's decision, Sourav Ganguly when asked wher tournament will take place this year said, "Let's stick to postponement at moment. We'll see. It is too early to comment anything w."

Speaking about BCCI's priorities, Ganguly said, "Our priority is safety so we postponed game." Replying to a query wher franchisees are happy with postponement he said, "body has a choice. Even board does t have a choice."  BCCI is scheduled to meet owners of IPL franchises before start of IPL Governing Council meeting.

READ: Sourav Ganguly issues first statement after IPL gets postponed & India-SA ODIs cancelled

IPL postponed

Indian Premier League (IPL) has been pushed back to April 15, 2020, due to outbreak of Coronavirus. decision was taken on Friday afteron by BCCI.

An advisory released on Friday afteron quoted BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and said, " Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend IPL 2020 till 15th April 2020, as a precautionary measure against ongoing vel Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. BCCI will work closely with Government of India along with Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and all or relevant Central and State Government departments in this regard."

READ: MASSIVE: IPL 2020 put off till April 15 amid coronavirus fears; BCCI issues statement

READ: Madras HC directs BCCI to reply to PIL seeking cancellation of IPL due to Coronavirus