‘CCI hosting Tests likely to affect MCA financially’
UNDER THE PRESENT PROPOSAL, WANKHEDE STADIUM COULD MISS OUT ON SOME MATCHES WHICH BCCI DECIDES TO STAGE AT THE CCI
MUMBAI: The historical squabble between the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and the Cricket Club of India (CCI) has once again come to the fore, with the Indian cricket board mulling over a proposal to grant the latter a permanent spot on the list of international venues in India.
According to former administrator, Vilas Godbole, a member of the MCA’S managing committee in 1972 which initiated a plan to construct the Wankhede Stadium, the latest move could have an adverse financial effect for the MCA and Mumbai cricket.
“International matches are the main source of income for an association. The MCA has to provide for the local cricket in the city, while the CCI, as primarily a private body does not have to worry about that factor," said Godbole.
Gobole says MCA was forced to go for their own stadium because the association was not benefitting from their arrangement with the CCI. "In 1972, the MCA had very little in terms of finance but we continued to provide the infrastructure to organise tournaments all year round. Despite the expenses we did not have any avenue to earn money as we had to depend on the CCI, which is primarily a private body,” Godbole said.
CCI’S Brabourne stadium was the only stadium in the city till that time. “The CCI then used to provide a limited number of seats for the MCA, and we had to make do with it, despite our annual expenditure on running cricket in the city. It was then that we came to a decision that the MCA will need to make its own stadium,” he added.
Under the present proposal, MCA’S Wankhede Stadium could miss out on some matches in Mumbai which BCCI decides to stage at the CCI. The move has a special significance as it also raises the possibility of batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar’s 200th Test being played at the CCI.
BCCI FIRM IN STAND
The BCCI though has remained firm in its stand, with BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel on Thursday labeling the move to give CCI Test matches as a return of favour.
"Considering the historical background of CCI as well as all the help they have provided as and when required to the BCCI. The general body considered that some match will be allocated," Patel said.
Godbole though was not impressed, stating that the move undermines the MCA’S role as a state association. “Those days (When CCI hosted Tests) we did not have offices to operate from. Today the MCA has swanky offices and players have great amenities, all because we could host international matches in our own stadium. If that were to be divided (with CCI), the biggest loser would be the players as it will cut down on the money that trickles down to them through the MCA,” Godbole said.
Meanwhile, the MCA has maintained its stand of opposing the proposal. However, the possibility of the MCA'S point being ignored by the BCCI still remains a possibility.