IPL will boost the economy: Kumar Sangakkara

During the show, ‘Inspiration’ on India Today, former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara spoke about the IPL 2020 season taking place in the UAE in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I think sport and sporting economy and its knock-on effect is connected to every other economic activity. It’s a great part of contributing to a nation’s economy. IPL especially and all other tours and tournaments, as we have seen produce not just a tangible economic benefit but also a sense of mental and social well-being," said Sangakkara.

Earlier this week, the International Cricket Council announced the postponement of the T20 World Cup, which was scheduled to take place later this year, and thus opened the door for BCCI to host its cash-rich league. The thirteenth edition of the IPL will take place in the UAE from 19 September to 8 November, due to the growing concern of the virus in India.

"It’s a form of escapism when things are down and out in our part of the world over the years, when you watch a cricket match on TV or at the ground, it kind of brings about a sense that everything is back to normal and then life is actually normalised," he added. 

This will be the second time that the IPL would be played in the UAE. In 2014, the first half of the season took place in the UAE, because the of Indian general elections at the time.

“Now, we see the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in the way cricket is played in bio-secure environments and at closed stadia where the public has no access. But the fact that millions around the world have access to sporting spectacles through TV, streaming devices has a huge positive impact in terms of mindset, in terms of mental wellbeing, in terms of inspiring young people to take up this wonderful sport," the former Sri Lankan skipper said.

There may be some logistical ups and downs, but Sangakkara emphasized how sport can bring joy and relief to everyone involved, and also to fans because nothing is possible without them.

"Also, like you said, everyone whose livelihood is connected to this. Not just the players, but also the service providers, the broadcasters and the journalists, even the groundsmen and groundswomen around the world, everyone who is connected, it has a huge positive impact. And especially, for the UAE, if the IPL is played there, it’s a knock-on effect on the local economy there will be extremely huge. For the cricketers, and everyone connected to that, it will be a huge sigh of relief that, yes their livelihood is secure," he concluded. 

[With India Today input]