One of the UK-based company Restrata which is Operating in the field of safety and security has significantly secured the deal to build the Bio-security bubble for the Indian Premier League (IPL) which is set to begin in UAE this year. As Restrata does not operate in the United Kingdom or UAE, they initially pipped the Tata Group to secure and close the deal.
The company is specialised in covering the latest and last-Mile safety along with security and mobility operations. Restrata has also managed to work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2012 during the Olympic Games. Recently after the five-month-long break when cricket resumed, Restrata was also hired by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to start the initial building of bio-secure bubble for their series against Pakistan and West Indies.
TheTracking developments stated that “Things worked in the favour of Restrata as it was meant to be more cost-effective when compared to what Tatas had to offer and on the contrary, they also had past and recent expertise in handling global sports events and also had a few recent first-hand experiences with cricket too”.
The BCCI has already taken the initiative to inform all the franchises about the same and how Restrata will be working towards building a central bubble inside which the IPL Ecosystem will be allowed to function in the UAE.
It has been reported that a leading IPL Franchise owner had deliberately referred the Tatas to the BCCI by acknowledging the work they have done in this space so far. But it has been quoted that Tatas demanded almost double of what Restrata had asked for by submitting a detailed presentation to the BCCI.
The Tracking Development has stated that “It does not work that way as references are fine but they need to understand that this is a huge sporting event and past experiences matter. In the case of Restrata, the company had the first-hand experience in dealing and managing over 500 people present at Southampton’s Ages Bowl and Old Trafford which also includes the players, coaches, stadium staff, production media, match officials with obviously no spectators”.
As per the reports in this year’s IPL, Restrata is keen to offer and introduce track and trace technology. This will help to track and keep tabs on the number of people who are assigned to work in the various specified zones to ensure mandatory social distancing and all COVID related health compliance’s.
To track and trace any suspected outbreaks of COVID across any venue the IPL Authorities and franchises will be provided with a ring in the finger or a bracelet or a chip inserted in the accreditation card as all of them carry a GPS device.
It is quite similar to the tracing system adopted by the ECB to keep track of the players and keep things in control. This was especially for Jofra Archer who had breached the bio-secure bubble ahead of the game against the windies when he had visited his family.
Keeping everything aside, the biosecurity bubble will ensure that there’s equanimity in the space by avoiding any sort of unexpected chaos. The total responsibility will be taken by Restrata as they will also mark out a blueprint signifying what the bubble will entail.
The rules are quite straightforward as the franchises will be asked to stay within the parameters. It is also said that the entry and exit points of the hotel would be tunnelled to allow specifics of any movement. Every single detail is going to be underlined with proper protocols to follow which include hygiene as well as regular testing.
The BCCI officials have said “It is extremely important to carry out this entire operation as the onus is on every stakeholder out there to help in pulling this off. This can be considered as a feather in the cap of Indian Sporting Achievements”.