DLF IPL pledges to play hard and play fair

After a successful collaboration with the inaugural DLF Indian Premier League, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the DLF IPL have announced a renewal of their partnership to support the MCC Spirit of Cricket campaign.

The highly anticipated Season 2009 of the DLF IPL to be played this year across eight cities in South Africa, will see each of the eight Indian franchises – through their captains - sign an MCC Spirit of Cricket Declaration at the opening ceremony to demonstrate their commitment to upholding the spirit of the game.

The partnership between MCC and the DLF Indian Premier League is wide-ranging: the captain’s declaration to “play hard, play fair” will be bolstered by the broadcasting of the MCC Spirit of Cricket adverts on TV around the world and at each venue.

MCC’s Secretary & Chief Executive Keith Bradshaw said “With the growing popularity of the game worldwide, cricket has a responsibility to safeguard its core virtues. We are delighted with the continued support of the DLF Indian Premier League as it provides further evidence that MCC Spirit of Cricket has been embraced by cricketers at the very top of the game. What the sport needs now is to ensure that players at grassroots level embrace it in the same way. Our hope is that the MCC Spirit of Cricket message will become embedded in every player, both young and old, right around the world. In a tournament that has captured the imagination of cricket enthusiasts everywhere, our partnership with the DLF Indian Premier League will play a big part in helping us to achieve our goal.”

DLF Indian Premier League Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi said “I am pleased that the DLF Indian Premier League will once again adopt MCC’s doctrine on the Spirit of Cricket. The media spotlight on cricket is now greater than ever before and every example of good and bad practice is illuminated and magnified for children to copy. To respect the umpires, opponents, captain and the game itself is essential to the way cricket is played. With the eyes of the world once again upon the DLF Indian Premier League, we have a great opportunity to spread the MCC Spirit of Cricket message to many thousands of children and encourage fair play at all levels of the game. We look forward to seeing cricket, and the Spirit of Cricket, at its best."