SHARJAH, Sept 2: The iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium is undergoing a make-over as it prepares for some of the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.�
New canopies add a splash of colour and the Royal Suite and VIP Hospitality Boxes have been upgraded for great viewing enjoyment. The commentator�s box, so important when there are possibly no spectators, will adhere to the strictest protocols for a bio-bubble to stay pristine.�
Special care is also being taken to make the player�s pavilion and the practice facilities sterile and ultra-safe in compliance with COVID-19 related protocols.
Commenting on the ongoing enhancement project, Waleed Bukhatir, vice chairman of Sharjah Cricket Stadium, in an email message to The Assam Tribune said, �We are taking every possible precaution to ensure the safety of everyone from players, support staff to franchise owners and it�s our key aim to keep that bubble intact right through the tournament. No effort will be spared and we are going about it in a systematic and scientific way.�
The doyen of cricket in the Gulf and the chairman of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium Abdul Rahman Bukhatir expressed his delight at IPL 2020 being held in the UAE and added that he had given instructions that the stadium should reflect state-of-the-art facilities and capture the rich history of cricket in the Emirates. Bukhatir added that special attention is being paid to arrangements, which are designed to keep safety norms at the forefront. He expressed his delight that Sharjah will share its renowned warm hospitality with cricket players and audience from all over the world.
He also took the opportunity to announce that serious plans are on to incorporate a cricket museum, which would be fittingly integrated into the stadium complex.
