The newly-formed
managing committee of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has appointed a
star-studded Cricket Improvement Committee (CIC) for the 2015-2017 seasons.
MCA vice-president and
former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar will chair the panel. He will be joined
by another former India skipper, Ajit Wadekar, former India players Pravin
Amre, Sanjay Manjrekar and Ajit Agarkar, former India women's captain Diana
Edulji, former Mumbai captain Amol Muzumdar and managing committee member
Deepak Patil. According to Vengsarkar, Sachin Tendulkar will be a special
invitee to the CIC's meetings. The batting great has agreed to share his views
with the committee and will attend its meetings as and when required.
The CIC, which has been formed
and disbanded on many occasions, will take up the job of appointing the
selectors, coaches and support staff for every age group, including the
first-class unit. It will also appoint a director for the Sharad Pawar Indoor
Cricket Academy in Bandra-Kurla Complex. As promised by Sharad Pawar before the
elections, the MCA has decided to give each of its member clubs an additional
membership of the world-class facility in BKC.
"The next three months are crucial for us. We have to
get things in order before the cricket season starts in (September-October).
The CIC comprises some great players who have served Mumbai and Indian
cricket," Vengsarkar said.
The managing committee has announced the formation of 24
committees, including one for registration of players, but there is no mention
of a disciplinary committee. Over the past few years, players belonging to
different age-group teams have been involved in several cases of indiscipline.
Vengsarkar said that the MCA "will not tolerate any act of indiscipline"
from any player, be it "a superstar or an Under-14 player".
Vengsarkar also informed that the MCA will do everything
possible to launch the long overdue Mumbai Premier League. He also said that
the Dr HD Kanga League, the association's pet monsoon event, will be held from
August 2 to October 25. The other tournaments — Police Shield, Times Shield,
Purshottam Shield, Talim Shield and Comrade Shield — will be scheduled after
the Kanga League.
