“It does complement our efforts and we are happy that IPL in south africa has left a positive imprint so far,” he said.
Bhatia told IANS: “IPL has contributed significantly to better people-to-people relations.”
Citing the fact of people of Indian origin in this country thronging the grounds where matches are taking place, especially in the city of Durban, he remarked: “They see in the IPL a revival of their mela, which all Indians love to go to.”
He added: “They are also happy to see the contemporary face of India - very confident, vibrant, on-the-go.”
Regarding criticism in a section of the South African press about the IPL organisers throwing their money around, the high commissioner, while not dismissing such views, referred to reactions of the South African government and Cricket South Africa, the national governing body for the game.
He illustrated that the interim president and now deputy president, Kgalema Motlanthe, said “the IPL was injecting a significant amount of investment in South Africa”.
As for CSA, he claimed: “They are extremely joyous, happy and grateful that this opportunity came their way; and of course, we appreciate the ready co-operation they extended to us.”
This might have happened here at India but it is happening there. U might be knowing that SA general elections also started the same time as IPL. But government gave this reason here to shift the IPL. What a shame ??
Some more intresting news: http://connect.in.com/profile/IPL/1817
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