Gaurav Gupta & Sanjeev DevasiaMumbai: The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has sought permission to undertake development and maintenance of the Shivaji Park ground in Dadar. According to a letter written by the MCA to the municipal commissioner, Shivaji Park ground has been a prestigious and integral part of Mumbai’s cricketing world for decades and has played a valuable role in shaping cricketers across generations. The ground is associated with renowned cricket coach, the late Ramakant Achrekar. Several renowned players, including Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli, honed their skills there, the letter said.Considering the cricketing heritage and historical significance of Shivaji Park ground in Mumbai’s sporting culture, the MCA has proposed to undertake its development and maintenance at its own cost, with the aim of preserving and conserving the venue and making it more capable of serving future generations. The letter, written by MCA president Ajinkya Naik, stated that the works would be carried out in full compliance with applicable rules, conditions and procedures of the BMC and concerned authorities. A BMC G-North ward official said the proposal is under consideration and a decision will be taken soon.“As of now, sprinkling of water is carried out on the ground to ensure that soil does not rise and remain suspended in the air. The cricket body can take over aspects such as this, as well as the rainwater harvesting system. We will examine all aspects and make a decision,” the official said. Residents have been raising concerns about the pollution caused by the red soil at Shivaji Park ground. The civic body had earlier this year faced criticism after its efforts to sprinkle water to prevent the loose topsoil from turning into dust clouds went wrong. A contractor allegedly bypassed controlled sprinkling and used high-pressure hoses connected to water tankers, resulting in slush-filled pitches.Welcoming the MCA’s move to write to the BMC “wholeheartedly,” former India batsman Pravin Amre, who is president of Shivaji Park Gymkhana, told TOI, “I welcome this step. Shivaji Park is not just the traditional nursery of Mumbai cricket, but Indian cricket. However, for the last five years, people, who are mostly outsiders, are playing tennis-ball cricket at the ground. They are not allowing professional cricketers to play at Shivaji Park on Sundays and bank holidays. And if you cannot play season-ball cricket on Sunday because of tennis ball cricket, that is giving a wrong message and our club cricket has been hampered by that...MCA is not being able to conduct its local tournament matches at Shivaji Park during the cricket season (after Dussehra),” he added.“Basically, the clubs at Shivaji Park can’t not give the ground on Saturday, Sunday because of tennis ball cricket. So, it is very important that BMC should help us out with this, because the ground is basically the BMC’s property and they have leased to the clubs to play cricket.“If the MCA takes charge of the Sivaji Park, then the ground can be maintained even after public meetings. There are so many pits and poles after these meetings/rallies. Players suffer from ankle injuries due to that. The MCA has the resources to take good care of the ground. Actually, all the clubs at Shivaji Park ground need the MCA’s support on this issue, because we cannot do anything against a mob,” Amre added.
