Shamik Chakrabarty, Mumbai
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is set to install a life-size statue of former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar at Wankhede Stadium “in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian and Mumbai cricket”. The MCA Apex Council unanimously approved this at its meeting on Wednesday.
Vengsarkar played 116 Tests, scoring 6,868 runs, including 17 hundreds. The only overseas batter to score three consecutive centuries at Lord’s, he earned the sobriquet, ‘Lord of Lord’s’. He was also part of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning squad. He later served as the chairman of the national selection committee.
“Honouring Dilip Vengsarkar with a statue at Wankhede is a tribute to one of Mumbai’s greatest cricketing icons,” MCA president Ajinkya Naik said.
The Apex Council also took the decision to enhance the cricket promotion subsidy for maidan clubs to Rs 10,000 per match. The association will set up MCA Cricket Academies across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to provide world-class training and infrastructure to promising young players. The MCA will also provide essential ground equipment to maidan clubs to support and improve the playing conditions at the grassroots.
Also, in a gesture of solidarity towards the farming community, the association has resolved to donate Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, and the Mumbai cricketers will collectively contribute Rs 25 lakh towards the same cause.
“Our support for farmers and maidan clubs underlines MCA’s deep-rooted connection with the community,” said Naik.
MCA secretary Abhay Hadap said: “We are focused on strengthening the cricketing ecosystem from the grassroots. Setting up academies across the MMR and providing ground equipment to maidan clubs will help nurture the next generation of cricketers and ensure they have access to world-class facilities.”
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