India Tennis Player Leander Paes Says Other Sports Should Follow IPL Model

Hailing the Indian Premier League for "successfully creating loyal followers," India tennis player Leander Paes said that the city-based franchise league is "the way forward to popularise other sports, which need to replicate the model of the popular cricket tournament," according to the PTI. In the U.S., city-based franchise tennis tournament World Team Tennis is "extremely popular and Paes said something on those lines should be introduced in Indian tennis as well as other sports in the country." Paes: "IPL is close relevant of the World Team Tennis. The stadia are packed with fans for entire 21 days. The format of the tournament makes it interesting for the viewers. Also there are great players participating in the league. That is what IPL has been successful in doing here and we have to learn from it to replicate it in other sports." Paes was speaking at the Star Sports India Pro Leagues Forum on the subject of "Growing the Club Culture" (PTI, 12/13).