The Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) decision to constitute a Differently-Abled Players Cricket Committee during its Apex Council meeting on Monday has been welcomed by the cricketing fraternity.
Former India all-rounder Karsan Ghavri, 74, who is the president of All India Cricket Association for the Physically Challenged (AICAPC) congratulated MCA on their decision to form such a committee. “It’s a very good decision, excellent. MCA president [Ajinkya Naik], vice-president [Sanjay Naik], secretary [Hadap] and all the Apex Council members are doing a wonderful job. This step will further help disabled cricketers,” Ghavri told mid-day on Tuesday.
“If included, I would be happy to contribute to this committee. I am confident that I can guide them in this context as I have been working with disabled cricketers for the last 12-13 years at AICAPC which was founded by [former India captain] Ajit Wadekar,” added Ghavri. Mumbai’s wheelchair cricket team captain Rahul Ramugade was also delighted with this development. “It’s a good step from MCA to have a separate committee for differently-abled cricketers. I will personally go to the MCA office to congratulate and thank the officials there. We want MCA to support us and help us to play various tournaments,” said Ramugade.
Meanwhile, MCA secretary Abhay Hadap explained the road ahead on this matter.
“According to our constitution we have decided to have a cricket committee for differently-abled cricketers. We will try our best to accommodate all players who
are in our MCA jurisdiction,” said Hadap, adding that the Indian cricket board’s help will also be sought on this subject.
“The BCCI is our parent body and we will also be taking their suggestions in this context. There are many differently-abled cricketers associations at the state and national levels so we may also need to take legal opinion in this matter,” added Hadap.
