IPL to buy bullet-proof buses
Saturday, 21 March 2009
NEW DELHI, Mar 20 : Cricket's Indian Premier League (IPL) is shopping for bullet-proof buses and cars in a bid to protect its star players, The Times of India reported Friday.
It said a South African private security firm hired by the multi-million dollar Twenty20 league had approached a local firm to buy 16 special buses and 64 armoured SUV's-worth roughly 3.1 million US dollars in all.
The scramble for additional protection came last week, in the wake of the deadly attack against the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan on March 3.
But the paper pointed out that with demand high from Indian politicians campaigning for next month's general elections, the IPL may be unable to buy shielded vehicles at such short notice.
The report comes as the IPL remains embroiled in a row with the Indian government over security.
Less than a month before the scheduled opening on April 10, the home ministry has still not cleared the tournament because it clashes with parliamentary elections.
The IPL is due to be held April 10 to May 24, while the elections take place across the country in five phases from April 16 to May 13, with counting of votes on May 16.— AFP
It said a South African private security firm hired by the multi-million dollar Twenty20 league had approached a local firm to buy 16 special buses and 64 armoured SUV's-worth roughly 3.1 million US dollars in all.
The scramble for additional protection came last week, in the wake of the deadly attack against the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan on March 3.
But the paper pointed out that with demand high from Indian politicians campaigning for next month's general elections, the IPL may be unable to buy shielded vehicles at such short notice.
The report comes as the IPL remains embroiled in a row with the Indian government over security.
Less than a month before the scheduled opening on April 10, the home ministry has still not cleared the tournament because it clashes with parliamentary elections.
The IPL is due to be held April 10 to May 24, while the elections take place across the country in five phases from April 16 to May 13, with counting of votes on May 16.— AFP