The Indian Premier League is all about big bucks - record prices paid for the legendary players, with Englishmen, Kevin Pietersen and all-rounder, Andrew Flintoff, breaking the bank at $1.5 million each, the sale of media rights clocking over the $1.5 billion mark and the individual coffers of Bollywood and leading Indian industrial heavyweights literally overflowing with rupees and now rands.
What is really exciting, though, is the good karma flowing out of the IPL and its organisers, karma that is arguably only matched in spots by the enormous generosity of the English Premier League - the giant of English football.
Karma - the actions of yesterday predict the events of the future
The true essence of karma is quite simply the actions of yesterday predict the events of the future and with the Indian Premier League's commitment to improving the lives of thousands of people throughout the world via the proceeds of the massively popular Twenty20 carnival; they have every right to anticipate an even bigger following and consequential profits.
South Africa, as the current host nation, has been the main beneficiary of the IPL's inordinate munificence with reports of billions of rands being pumped into the nation's coffers.
Apart from the obvious investment into the tourism sector via international flights, accommodation and transport for the duration of the cricket cavalcade; the organisers have re-defined the act of giving by literally doling out the promise of loot to underprivileged spectators at the game.
Through the IPL initiative, HEAT - Help, educate and teach - five school-going cricket buffs are picked out of the legions of IPL fans at each and every game and given R15 000 towards their education; talk about instant gratification!
Big-hearted sleight of hand
This big-hearted sleight of hand is only a tiny slice of the IPL's pledge against poverty however, they have dedicated R10 million in scholarship funds for struggling South African schools!
Each host city is further allocated 1000 free tickets for kids from battling backgrounds; what a wonderful way of getting the younger set involved in sports.
The IPL, like the English Premier League, is clearly one of the major success stories of sport and both deserve their time in the sun.
EPL's 'Magic Bus' initiative
The EPL has a number of fantastic initiatives including the 'Magic Bus' where cash is raised to aid India's street children by promoting personal and social education through sport and outdoor adventures.
The recent announcement the Premier League will be expanding its' good cause initiative' is good news, indeed, as with the global economic meltdown effectively adding to the ever-increasing burden of NGO's; there are going to be a lot more hungry mouths to feed in the next couple of years and sportsmen and women are clearly doing their bit. We wish them all the very best karma for many years to come!
Gambling Guru offers a detailed guide on the Twenty20 World Cup as well as a substantial Cricket Betting Guide for punters.
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