The controversial decision to shift the IPL matches to South Africa by the organizers of the Indian Premier League continues to evoke emotional responses. A section holds the view that shifting the IPL has hurt the national pride, as the message has gone out that India would not be in a position to handle the threat perception in an adroit manner. A new facet has been added to the controversy by the revelation that the time during which IPL is being hosted in South Africa coincides with the general elections in South Africa as well. If South Africa can handle both simultaneously, what prevented India from doing the same?

Would it not be shocking news to find that the time when the second season of the IPL matches are being played in South Africa, is also the time when South Africa would be holding the general elections for its country as well. While one may agree with the fact that the level and scale of South Africa may be small as compared to the vastness at which it operates in India, the message would indeed go around that if South Africa with its meager resources can manage both IPL and the elections in its country, why the Indian government could not do the same? Elections in South Africa would take place on 22 April 2009.

For the South African government the scheduling of IPL in South Africa has come as manna from the heaven as it would provide an investment stimulus to the tune of $ 100 million without making any efforts, and the stimulus package would give a much needed fillip to the economy of the country, and the government could very well sell it as an initiative to give a kick start to the economy and ride piggy back on it to the power once again.

At a time when the economy of India is still trying to get up on its feet the business that hosting of IPL would have generated at the ground level could have indeed been a shot in the arm for the present government. It is on account of the employment that it would have created in the month of April and May in India which otherwise is a lean season for the labour class in general.

By shifting the IPL, Indian cricket has put itself at the mercy of forces beyond its control. It is a mistake. Suppose everything goes along without a hitch in South Africa. What then? And when might India next be considered safe enough for international players?

Bear in mind that IPL does not invite nations, merely cricketers from all relevant countries. And still the tournament could not be held, still it was sent overseas for security reasons.

Does India expect to stage the 2011 World Cup? Hereafter it will not take much to change its location as well. Once weakness takes hold it’s hard to remove.

Obviously the election arrangements complicated matters. It is no small thing to oversee such a massive and precious event. India’s devotion to democracy must at all costs be protected. At such times sport takes a back seat. Inevitably the forces of law and order are obliged to focus on the efficient running of the campaigning, voting and counting.

Clearly it was too much to expect that they might at the same time protect hundreds of cricketers or watch over 59 widespread 59 matches.

But to move IPL away from India was to make a drastic concession. After all there is no reason to suppose the election will be any more turbulent than previous instances. Throughout history all sorts of conflicts have assailed the region. Those waiting for a quiet spell will grow long beards.

Except in the most dire circumstances, India ought to retreat from organising anything. Now the bullies know that this powerful nation can be turned.