IPL 2021: BCCI to conduct 30,000 RT-PCR tests in UAE leg

The 2021 Indian Premier League is all set to resume in the United Arab Emirates from September 19. The Indian leg was suspended in May after the bubbles of a few teams were breached, with players and staff positive.

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is planning on stepping up its COVID control measure, along with VPS Healthcare, and it is looking to facilitate more than 30,000 RT-PCR tests on the players and staff. The Dubai-based company would also ensure the treatment of the players, providing sports medicines, along with air ambulance.

A nursing and medical staff would be set up in each bubble to avoid players moving out of the bubble for any emergency medical treatment. Meanwhile, the RT-PCR tests would be conducted every third day of the tournament instead of five days during IPL 2020.

A 100-member multidisciplinary team related to COVID management and sports medicine would also be set up. In contrast, a couple of medical groups, including doctors, nurses, paramedics and lab technicians, would be available at each venue.

VPS Healthcare has already completed the testing of 750-plus hotel staff in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. With a capacity to conduct 2,000 RT-PCR tests in a span of six to eight hours per day, nurses and other medical would be contained in the 14 hotels along with players.

VPS Healthcare CEO, Dr Shajir Gaffar, told PTI that its team is completely equipped with all medical facilities to care for the IPL players. He expressed his faith, considering UAE's track record to conduct sporting events seamlessly during the pandemic. Also, with the ICC World T20 to follow the IPL in the gulf next month, he hoped for another excellent conduction of the tournaments.

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