Dr Ali Bacher, no stranger to organising mega cricketing events in SA, says one security slip-up will cost the tournament dear
Dr Ali Bacher, no stranger to organising mega cricketing events in SA, says one security slip-up will cost the tournament dear
Since Dr Ali Bacher has no middle name, it would be apt if someone threw 'Cricket' in there.
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To his cricket-playing friends and opponents he will always be known as the man who captained South Africa to their epic 4-0 triumph over the mighty Australians in 1969-70.
To the cricketing fraternity in general, he would probably be Mr South African Cricket.
Bacher (67 next month) was instrumental in getting South Africa back to the international fold in 1991 after a 22-year hiatus from international cricket due to the country's apartheid policy.
Before and after South Africa's comeback, he stood out for his excellence in organising tours u00e2u0080u0093 rebel and official. So, if you want to know how things will work out for the Indian Premier League in South Africa, who better to ask than Bacher.
MiD DAY did just that.
Excerpts from an interview:
What does the hosting of IPL mean to South African cricket?
We are absolutely delighted and honoured that the BCCI decided to have the IPL in South Africa. It indicates the excellent close relations South African cricket had with India since the early 90s when they supported our re-induction into international cricket. The IPL is very good for South Africa at a time of economic recession people losing jobs, getting pay cuts. We will have a lot of people coming into the country to watch the IPL so it will be good for tourism. It will generate a lot of jobs so it is very important in that regard.
What's the build-up been like?
There is a lot of advertising throughout South Africa. I was driving through Johannesburg and saw a lot of billboards. I have heard jingles on radio, commercials on TV. In a very short time, the organisers have come out very strongly from a marketing point of view. Everyone here is aware that there is an IPL tournament.
How do you see things panning out?
The positive draw is that the Twenty20 brand of cricket is very popular here. The other positive is that the cream of international cricket will be coming to South Africa
What has to be asked is whether the support will be sustainable over five weeks in a period where we are in autumn and approaching winter. I don't know about that, but I am reasonably confident that there will be a lot of support for the tournament.
Realistically, will IPL get a good turn-out?
The opening matches in Cape Town over the weekend were sold out within one and a half hour. That indicates that there is support for Twenty20.
From your vast experience, what kind of organisational problems could creep in?
Look, I ran the World Cup in 2003. I spent two and a half years on it.u00a0 The IPL organisers have had very little time for such a big event.
Fifty nine matches in five weeks will be tough logistically. But I think IPL will come to the party and what I gather is that they are working round the clock and trying to make it a success.
You were the driving force behind the success of the 2003 World Cup. How can the IPL achieve that kind of success?
The most important thing is security. If you have one security issue, it will affect the tournament. I am sure the organisers will understand that and take cognizance of the fact that you cannot underestimate the security issue.
Personally, what are you looking forward to?
You should ask my grandchildren this (laughs). They love Twenty-20 cricket. I am a bit old fashioned. Look, this is good for the country.
It is good to see international sporting stars come to country - a lot of tourism, media exposure on South Africa and the hype. That's what makes me proud. We have had a troubled past, but we have overcome that. This is a good thing to come to our country.u00a0 It doesn't matter who wins or loses, but the fact that international stars are here is a big plus for SA.
You said after the 2003 World Cup that one of the big factors in the tournament's success was the way Tendulkar played. He's going to be around this time too...
I am looking forward to watching him play and meeting him. I have been Sachin's biggest supporter since the first time I met and saw him play in Kolkata, 1991.
He became a superstar, never changed, feet always on the ground and very respectful. He is a tremendous ambassador for the cricket youth of the world. I remain a fantastic supporter of him and I have huge admiration for him.
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