The Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) constitution stipulates that member clubs must be registered with the Charity Commissioner. However, the MCA seems to have ignored member Shripad Halbe’s objections to the inclusion of over 150 non-registered clubs in the voter’s list. And rather than addressing the causes behind the non-registration of member clubs, the MCA, by passing a resolution in its Special General Meeting, has chosen to appeal to the Supreme Court to remove the registration clause from its constitution.
The MCA’s administration has been on a downward trajectory since the implementation of the Justice Lodha Committee’s constitutional reforms. Previously, elected administrators were held accountable by general members, who were well-versed with the constitution and unafraid to speak out. However, currently there are concerns about the administration’s adherence to the constitution. The MCA’s priorities seem skewed, with pressing issues like the Wankhede Stadium lease renewal, finalising an operating contract for the Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana, resolving rent disputes, and expediting the arbitration process in the Garware Club dispute taking a backseat.
Advising the elected administrators on judicious spending and attracting new sponsors are also integral aspects of the paid administration’s role. However, apart from NECC, which was brought on board in 2003 by Sharad Pawar, the MCA has struggled to secure other sponsors for their teams.
The post of CEO has remained vacant for six years. It is imperative that dynamic individuals are introduced into the paid administration to address these shortcomings. The MCA’s ability to reform and restore its former glory hinges on its capacity to address these fundamental issues.
Jagdish Achrekar was MCA’s Treasurer before the 2022 elections
The views expressed in this column are the individual’s and don’t represent those of the paper
