Johannesburg  - Cricket South Africa confirmed Tuesday that it had been named as the host of the 2009 Indian Premier League tournament which was relocated amid concerns over security in India.

The decision was announced after a meeting in Johannesburg between CSA boss, Gerald Majola, and Lalit Modi, chairman of the IPL. England has also been in the running.

"We are very happy to confirm that South Africa will host the 2009 DLF Indian Premier League tournament," Modi said in a statement.

Modi pointed out that "the South African public loves T2O cricket and CSA successfully hosted the inaugural ICC World T20."

"Both these factors weighed heavily in South Africa's favour, and we look forward to a successful and exciting tournament being held at venues throughout South Africa," he said.

Majola described the offer to host the tournament as "a great compliment to both CSA and our nation to be shown this confidence in our ability to hold one of the world's top sporting events at short notice."

"The organisers can be assured that they have the full support of our CSA's structures and the South African public to stage a successful tournament."

"This event will strengthen the ties even further between South African and Indian cricket, as well as binding our nations even closer together," he said.

The tournament includes 59 matches, starting April 18. (dpa)