Chennai: For the world that is tied and panted in the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, sports carnival such as Euro 2020 and Wimbledon has come as fresh air aroma.
Chennai was also getting ready to play the ball again as the fifth Green-Lights State Government of the Tamil Nadu Premier League edition to be played in the city of July 19.
“We have received permission.
Chennai will hold the first phase of the event from July 19-29.
All matches will be played at the Chidambaram MA Stadium (Mac).
But there will be no fans inside the stadium,” said a senior TNCA official to Ti on Thursday , The tournament has been planned in three phases until August 15 and the state government has given its approval for the event to host Coimbatore, Dindigul, Salem and Tirunelveli.
However, TNCA is still in the process of completing the venue for the second and third phase.
Bio-bubbles need to be made and the association will receive whether the call to have it in smaller centers.
The Covid-19 situation in the district is also being monitored and if the association’s head feels Chennai will be a safer bet for the eight team franchise, all tournaments will occur in the city.
“The choice for full edition hosting in Chennai is always there, but we want to host the second and third phase in the district,” said an official.
Towards the tournament, all players, officials and support staff from eight franchises will enter bio-safe bubbles in a city hotel in July 4.
“All franchises will be placed in the same hotel and we follow all the protocols prescribed by the government,” said officials that.
TNPL has thrown out many stars like T Natarajan and Varun Chakravarthy and it will also be a big preparation for those who will be part of the second phase of the Indian Premier League in the UAE in October.
“It was very disappointing that last year’s edition had to be canceled because of the pandemic despite our best efforts.
This would be a big boost for cricket in the state that craved the commencement again,” the official added.
It can be noted that posting the first wave, large ticket cricket has returned to India with a back-to-back test match in Chennai against England in February.
The city also managed to hold one foot from the Indian Premier League this year before being stopped because of the second wave of pandemic.
“We have the experience needed to attract it and everything must go well in TNPL too,” officially added.
TN Govt Green Light Fifth Edition TNPL
