MCA Honors Sunil Gavaskar as Wankhede Stadium Celebrates 50th Anniversary
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Mumbai, Jan 12 (NationPress) The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) kicked off the week-long celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the Wankhede Stadium with a magnificent felicitation event honoring past captains of the Mumbai cricket teams, encompassing both men and women. This momentous gathering took place at the stadium and was attended by cricketing icons, including Sunil Gavaskar, who notably participated in the inaugural Test match at Wankhede Stadium against the West Indies back in 1974.
The ceremony was attended by MCA president Ajinkya Naik, alongside MCA vice president Sanjay Naik, Secretary Abhay Hadap, Treasurer Arman Mallick, joint secretary Deepak Patil, and former president Vijay Patil.
Numerous cricketing greats graced the event, including Sanjay Manjrekar, Wasim Jaffer, Raju Kulkarni, Chandrakant Pandit, Lalchand Rajput, Shobha Pandit, and Arundhati Ghosh, all of whom have significantly contributed to the glorious legacy of Mumbai cricket. Additionally, the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM) was recognized for their invaluable support and contributions to the sport in Mumbai.
During the ceremony, Gavaskar shared his sincere emotions, stating, “It feels wonderful to return to this iconic venue, which has witnessed so many memorable moments in Indian cricket. Today marks the commencement of the 50th anniversary celebration week of the legendary Wankhede Stadium, and as an opening batter, I couldn’t miss this moment. I extend my heartfelt wishes to the MCA and express my deep gratitude for the opportunities they have offered me since my school days. My success is a testament to the encouragement and support I received from the MCA.”
As part of the week’s festivities, two thrilling cricket matches were played, featuring teams from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM), Consul General, and IAS Officers.
In the opening match, MCA triumphed over the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai by five runs, while the IAS Officers Team secured a victory against the Consul General’s Team by 20 runs in the second match.
Speaking at the event, MCA president Ajinkya Naik remarked, “The 50th anniversary of Wankhede Stadium is a significant milestone for us. Today marked the beginning of our grand celebration, and our primary aim behind this week-long event is to educate the younger generation about Mumbai’s cricket heritage and the contributions of both male and female players who represented Mumbai, inspiring the youth to uphold this legacy.”
The celebrations for the 50th anniversary will continue throughout the week. MCA plans to honor the groundsmen of MCA’s clubs and grounds and will organize a Polly Umrigar Health Camp along with a special lunch for them on January 15, followed by the recognition of the members of the Mumbai team that played the first first-class match at the Wankhede Stadium in 1974.
