Fans react to IPL's S Africa move

South Africa have beaten England to host the 2009 season of India Premier League cricket.

Concerns about security on the subcontinent forced organisers to look for an alternative country to stage the tournament.

England had been considered as a possible destination but the IPL ultimately chose South Africa because of the favourable climate.

The opening ceremony and match will be held in Cape Town on 18 April while Johannesburg will stage the final.

Read some of the comments on the BBC Sport 606 messageboard

Send us your reaction

BBC News viewers have been reacting to news of the switch and here are just some of the e-mails we've received.

A substantial loss for Indian Cricket, and India as a whole.

South Africa has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, and trying to prove a point ahead of the Soccer World Cup next year.
Jayesh Shinde, Bangalore, India

I think this is a good opportunity to make IPL truly international. IPL should be hosted in India every alternate year. In the year that it is hosted in an international venue, we could have the host country nominate cities or towns that will be the base for each of the teams for that year.
Mani, Huddersfield

The English weather was no match for sunny South Africa

I am extremely saddened to hear that India could not stage this event on its own soil. I think with Indian government has made a grave mistake in not providing the necessary security for the IPL. I can assure you that this decision taken by the government will have effect on the vote count at the election. Indians love their cricket and will not forget.
Pankaj Tripathi, Lancashire, England

The message sent out to the world by relocating the IPL to South Africa is that India is incapable of providing security to its cricketers. It saddens me that the terrorists have won in weakening the country.
Hitesh Kothari, Liverpool, UK

Look at the loss - so much revenue is going out of india. Maybe these politicians and leaders should let their security go and ask them to work to provide security for IPL. I am disapponinted by the Indian government's inability.
Manish, Indianapolis, USA

Perhaps the excellence of Indian cricket could rub off on South Africa.

Nathan, Chennai

I think that this is a brave decision amidst the criticism because I think that security should come first.
Sadeepa, Colombo, Sri Lanka

I can;t believe that India doesn't have enough security personal to protect their own people and other guests. India has a huge army and police force.
Saeed, Abu Dhabi

If this is a success it will open up new avenues for cricket. The IPL is about passion for cricket. The atmosphere in the ground might be missed but the test replays on TV will make up for it. Perhaps the excellence of Indian cricket could rub off on South Africa and they could also start their own league?
Nathan, Chennai

The average Indian fan cannot afford the airfare or all the hassles with visas. BCCI has shown that it thinks of the fans as fodder for the advertisers and sponsors. Nothing more.
Aniruddha, Pune

It's absolutely disgusting that Lalit Modi has decided to play the IPL in South Africa. The Indian Premier League was meant to be played in India to entertain our fellow Indians. It's a sad day for Indian Cricket and our players should refuse to play in it but who would? It's a big money maker. I should have known...
Shayne Haridas, Calicut, India

It makes me sad and angry. It transparently exposes the facade of India and our government who is unable to handle security issues of handling an event using the excuse of elections. I bet many more international events in future will be taken out of the country because organizers and participants will not feel safe under our security arrangements.

What a shame!
Rajeev, New Jersey, USA

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