The historic Mahindra manual scoreboard at Wankhede Stadium, a beloved fixture since 1974, has been dismantled and replaced by a lavish air-conditioned enclosure for current and former Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Apex Council members.
This move has sparked a debate among cricket enthusiasts, who fondly recall the scoreboard`s detailed displays and uninterrupted service. The manual scoreboard’s legacy is now overshadowed by the AC lounge and the new lift, which carries the Apex Council members to this lavish AC lounge.
New cricket museum
On one hand, a cricket museum showcasing historical items is all set to open in the next few months. On the other, a piece of history, like the manual scoreboard, has been dismantled.
The MCA’s decision to prioritise luxury over heritage raises questions. The decision to build an AC lounge for Apex Council members is particularly puzzling, given the current members already have access to the comfortable President`s Box, and the former members interested in viewing the match from the luxurious President’s Box, seem to find ways to gain access through accreditation badges.
Costly initiative
The special enclosure appears to cater to an ego-fuelled desire for luxury, incurring substantial expenses for limited use. In contrast, the manual scoreboard served a cricketing purpose and held sentimental value for many. Will the new enclosure, with its luxurious amenities, serve a similar purpose?
This development reflects a trend where comfort and private space are prioritised over sentiments and collective experiences. One wonders if this will set a precedent for special enclosures for others, like club secretaries. As MCA’s priorities come under scrutiny, it’s also striking that in the naming melee, the President’s Box remains unnamed.
The writer was MCA’s Hon Treasurer before the last elections in 2022
The views expressed in this column are the individual’s and don’t represent those of the paper
