The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has officially committed to a Rs 500 crore corpus fund aimed at fostering the growth of grassroots cricket across the city. Announced during the association’s annual general meeting held at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday, September 11, the initiative is designed to support school, college, and local maidan clubs over the next decade. This new allocation marks a significant increase from the previous Rs 100 crore corpus that was already in place for similar development purposes.
MCA president Ajinkya Naik explained that the association plans to contribute Rs 40 crore annually toward this fund over the next ten years. The strategy functions like an endowment, where the principal amount is held in a fixed deposit, and the interest generated is distributed to affiliated clubs. These funds are intended to help clubs manage various operational needs, including logistics and the procurement of essential cricket equipment, providing them with the flexibility to address their specific requirements.
In addition to the financial boost for local talent, the MCA reached a decision to honor three iconic figures by naming specific lounges at the Wankhede Stadium after Sachin Tendulkar, Madhav Mantri, and Ajinkya Rahane. A dedicated committee has been established to oversee the selection of these spaces. Furthermore, the association is moving forward with plans to install a statue of Dilip Vengsarkar within the Wankhede complex, further cementing the stadium’s tribute to Mumbai’s cricketing history.
Regarding the broader administrative landscape, the MCA addressed the ongoing discussions surrounding the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, which has gained attention following recent inquiries from the Supreme Court. President Ajinkya Naik clarified that the association has not yet held internal discussions on the matter and intends to align its stance with the official position of the BCCI. “We have not discussed it. We will go by the BCCI decision,” Naik stated. The report also notes that held at the Wankhede on Friday (September 11), the MCA said it will create the corpus over the next 10 years for the development of grassroots cricket, including school and college cr, at its annual general meeting (AGM).
