IPL engages Restrata to provide biosecure environment

British tech firm Restrata has been engaged by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to provide a biosecure environment for the recently relocated Indian Premier League 2020, currently taking place in the UAE. The aim of the biosecure environment is to keep IPL players and staff safe during the competition period, so as to reduce and manage the risk posed by Covid-19.

The Restrata Platform, coupled with Bluetooth tags and locators, was a pivotal step in enabling the IPL 2020 season to take place in a biosecure environment. By utilising Restrata’s safety-monitoring technology, IPL 2020 is conducting a robust Track & Trace scheme, Prohibited Access & Capacity Management, Social Distancing and Contact Tracing. The services provided mean that data can be gathered and shared in real time, thereby helping ensure effective communication between players and staff and provide a common operating picture for all management and staff which, in turn, is helping minimise the risk of Covid-19. 

Led by Restrata’s cutting-edge technology, the Biosecure environment has been extended across multiple locations throughout the UAE, including: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium; Dubai Cricket Stadium; Sharjah Cricket Stadium; ICC practice facilities in Dubai; and 12 hotels across the country. Each franchise IPL team is located in different biosecure environments, as are match officials, operations staff, broadcast journalists, hotel staff and security personnel. The BCCI has stated that breaches of the biosecure environment protocols by individuals will be sanctioned under the IPL Code of Conduct rules.

The IPL, which is now one of the leading leagues in international sport, is the latest sporting competition to benefit from Restrata’s COVID-SAFE platform, which was deployed successfully to deliver the first biosecure test series between England and West Indies, held behind closed doors in July, and then repeated during other England fixtures, including the series against Pakistan, Ireland and Australia, and for the successful Twenty 20 fans trial at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground between Surrey and Hampshire, which saw attending fans given COVID-SAFE fobs as part of the UK Government’s return of spectators to live sport strategy.

In signing a contract as a provider to the BCCI, Restrata is continuing its rapid ascendancy in the international sports industry. The technology company has worked with the world’s biggest sports events and venues including the Nou Camp in Barcelona, the London 2012 Olympics, Al Bayt Stadium in Doha (one of the venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup), Abu Dhabi Formula 1 and now the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) England 2020 Test Series with West Indies and Pakistan respectively.

Chris St. George, Chairman of Restrata, said:

I am delighted that Restrata is providing the BCCI with the platform to deliver a safe and secure environment for players, match officials and team officials at IPL 2020. I commend the leadership of BCCI, IPL and IMG for adapting to the risk and integrating this biosecurity system efficiently, without which this year’s IPL season would not be taking place. We at Restrata are passionate about helping sport recover from this pandemic – and, in doing so, helping this sector regain its confidence.

Botan Osman, Chief Executive Officer of Restrata, said:

Technology has a critical role to play in the continued comeback of live sport and the safe return of players, staff, and eventually fans, to stadia worldwide this Autumn and into the Winter. It is of paramount importance to Restrata to ensure that players, officials and, increasingly fans as we emerge from Covid-19 in many parts of the world, know that our cutting-edge technology is there to provide them with confidence and safeguard their wellbeing. This will continue to be Restrata’s mantra whether we are supporting companies in sport or indeed other sectors and workplaces as they emerge safely from this global pandemic.

Matt Boucher, CEO of Abu Dhabi Cricket said: 

As a leading international cricket venue, we are thrilled to be hosting many of the 2020 IPL fixtures in the UAE, including the record-breaking season opener between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Given the unique circumstances surrounding this year’s tournament, we have been working in close partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and National Emergency Crisis & Disaster Management Authority to ensure the implementation of robust protocols and safety of all individuals involved in the tournament. By providing the technology which has created a biosecure environment for players, staff and officials at Abu Dhabi Cricket, as well as at official hotels in Abu Dhabi for two of the teams, Restrata has played an essential role in delivering this year’s IPL. We are thrilled to be working together.

Image: Zaheer Khan and Nathan Coulter-Nile. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Cricket

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