Champions League now part of ICC's FTP: Modi

JOHANNESBURG: The number of teams in the Champions League may have increased from 8 to12 in the very second edition but more teams could be part of the blue chip event in the coming years. According to Chairman Lalit Modi, it could be a case where the competition could be more broadbased and more teams could be part of it in years to come.

“We were always moving to 12 teams in the second year of operation as the first year had already been delayed. And we could not do it, we were always moving to 12, and we hope to increase it to more teams going forward,” he said .

The other added reason for the increase is the fact that the major countries in the world can all participate in the event.“We just want to broaden it for more and more countries, so that the true champion of champions is taking place. You will see more and more countries participating in the future,'' he added.

The biggest possible plus for Champions League this year could be the fact that the tournament has found a slot in ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP) and there will always be a window for the event annually. “I think Champions League has already been slotted in as part of the FTP. IPL and other domestic tournaments around the world have to find their own windows. We haven't asked for an FTP commitment as far as that is concerned. But for an international tournament of this magnitude and this quality, we are working with all the member countries and the ICC and we have together come out with the dates of the Champions League to benefit everybody,” he revealed.

The other addition to the event's feature is that the tournament could move from country to country in the years ahead. “We have always envisaged movement of Champions League from country to country, and to showcase the best of the best playing in different parts of the world, so that fans across the world, can participate and be part of Champions League and also be part of the game. We are going to examine that. 

“This year it's in India,” he said. “Once we have the first inaugural season in India, we will take it forward, many countries have invited us already to take the tournament to their country. For example, South Africa has invited us to bring the tournament here next year. But we are going to examine, all these things after the first year.”