NITN | @notintownlive | 14 Mar 2020, 07:06 am

Mumbai/NITN: Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, who was present at a meeting with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the postponement of the beginning of Indian Premier League (IPL) amid the Coronavirus outbreak, on Saturday said the safety of players, spectators and the cities which will host matches were of utmost importance.
After the conclusion of the meeting, Khan tweeted, "Wonderful to meet all the Franchise owners ‘off the field’ so to say. The meeting by @Bcci and @ipl was to reiterate what all of us feel...safety first of the spectators, players management & cities we play in. All directives of the health agencies & govt to be followed.."
1/2 Wonderful to meet all the Franchise owners ‘off the field’ so to say. The meeting by @Bcci and @ipl was to reiterate what all of us feel...safety first of the spectators, players management & cities we play in. All directives of the health agencies & govt to be followed..
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) March 14, 2020
"Hope the spread of the virus subsides & the show can go on. BCCI & team owners in consultation with the govt will keep a close watch & decide the way fwd in the health interest of ever1. Lovely 2 meet every1 & then sanitise ourselves repeatedly.." Khan added.
2/2. Hope the spread of the virus subsides & the show can go on. BCCI & team owners in consultation with the govt will keep a close watch & decide the way fwd in the health interest of ever1. Lovely 2 meet every1 & then sanitise ourselves repeatedly..@SGanguly99 @JayShah #BPatel
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) March 14, 2020
BCCI secretary Jay Shah issued a statement which reads, "The BCCI along with all the IPL franchises have reiterated BCCI’s stand of putting safety and well-being of fans, athletes and employees as a priority.
The board will continue to monitor and work closely with Government of India, state governments and other state regulatory bodies to decide on the future course of action in the best interest of public health."
He added, "The BCCI and all its stakeholders are committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for everyone involved in our great sport and the nation."
In the meeting, which was chaired by BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, owners of all IPL franchises were present.
The BCCI on Friday announced the deferment of the tournament from Mar 29 to Apr 15.
The 13th edition of IPL became uncertain first after the Indian government suspended all visas, except the diplomatic, official ones, till Apr 15 as no foreign player would be able to play in the mega tournament.
As many as 60 international players are likely to play in the 13th edition of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government has said it will not allow any IPL match to be held in the national capital this year as a preventive measure.
The announcement was made by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
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