Dubai News
In line with the Kingdom’s recent expansion into sports, the government of Saudi Arabia has now intended that it is keen to set up a new T20 league – the world’s richest – that could bring substantial changes to the shorter format of the game, DubaiNews.tv has learned.
Saudi Arabia has already made investments in the Formula 1 Grand Prix and LIV Golf, and now the Gulf kingdom is eyeing the world’s richest T20 tournament as its next project on the list.
Reportedly, the Gulf state has approached the owners of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to ensure the participation of Indian players in the league. As per the current rules of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Indian players are not allowed to participate in overseas T20 competitions. However, the league would also need to be sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and approved by member countries.
Wasim Akram, former Pakistani fast bowler, also visited Riyadh earlier this year and had a meeting with Prince Saud bin Mishal Al Saud, the Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, to talk about the future of cricket in Saudi Arabia. Akram had expressed his eagerness to establish a cricket league in the country in a statement released after the meeting.
“What a trip to Riyadh. Had a great meeting with H.H. Saud (bin) Mishal, talked about cricket in Saudi Arabia, and so looking forward to (starting) a Saudi league InshaAllah very soon,” said Akram.
World's Richest Cricket Competition in Saudi Arabia pic.twitter.com/TkQWqe3ANv
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The ICC Chairman Greg Barclay had also confirmed Saudi Arabia’s interest in cricket. “If you look at other sports they’ve been involved in, cricket is something I imagine would be attractive to them,” he said. “Given their advance into sports more generally, cricket would work quite well for Saudi Arabia. They’re pretty keen to invest in sport, and given their regional presence, cricket would seem a pretty obvious one to pursue.”
Saudi Arabia’s Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz also highlighted that sports and entertainment will play a key role in the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 in August last year. “The country’s esteemed leadership is truly invested in the impact sport can have in improving the lives of its people and we are fully aligned to support the transformation,” he said. “The changes already implanted have already had a massive impact on people in our country.”
Saudi Arabia in talks with IPL owners to set up the World's richest T20 league in Saudi Arabia.#SaudiArabia #India #BCCI #IPL #ipl2023 #cricket #cricketnews #news #Newsupdates #sports #T20 #sportsupdate #CricketTwitter #Cricketfans pic.twitter.com/D8WX5GqxoT
— CricInformer (@CricInformer) April 14, 2023
“You can really sense how excited Saudis are to see some of the world’s biggest sports events take place in the Kingdom.” It must be noted that Saudi Arabia will host the FIFA Men’s Club World Cup later this year, having already hosted the Spanish Super Cup and events in Formula One, Golf, and boxing.
As of yet, United Arab Emirates is the preferred location for the planned matches; however, Saudi Arabia is tying their hopes to be a ‘global cricketing destination’ sooner or later.
Saudi Arabia government is in talks with IPL owners to set up the world's richest T20 league in Saudi Arabia pic.twitter.com/KrAaw22q9k
— Jega8 (@imBK08) April 14, 2023
If the investments are made timely and rightly by Saudi Arabia and if the negotiations are done in a rather fruitful manner, then there are higher chances and a larger success ratio that this game-changing competition will fortify the relationship between both countries, with the latter aiming up to make itself the primer tourist destination for India by 2030.
A group led by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign investment fund purchased the Premier League football team Newcastle United in 2021. Meanwhile, legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia last year in a deal believed to be worth more than 200 million euros. The 37-year-old penned a contract that will take him to June 2025.
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