Families grateful as MCA bats for deceased First-Class cricketers

MCA president Ajinkya Naik

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), following its Apex Council meeting, announced pension support for spouses of deceased first-class cricketers on Tuesday.

MCA also acknowledged efforts of its ground staff while announcing a special bonus of Rs 25 lakh for their work during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, IPL and T20 Mumbai League matches.

"The Apex Council's decisions are guided by three key principles - respect for our cricketing heritage, welfare of our cricketing family and readiness for the future. Supporting the spouses of deceased first-class cricketers, modernising our competitions, embracing AI-led innovation and recognising the contribution of our ground staff are all steps in that direction," MCA president Ajinkya Naik said.

Mumbai's spin-bowling great Padmakar Shivalkar, who claimed 589 first-class wickets in 124 matches, passed away in March last year. Shivalkar's wife Padmaja welcomed MCA's decision. "It's a good decision. By this, MCA is not just providing support to the spouses of their former players, but also keeping the memories of these players alive. This [pension] will be a big support for us [families]," Padmaja told mid-day on Tuesday.

"The idea is to honour some of our late cricketers like Shivalkar, Milind Rege, Abdul Ismail, Sharad Hazare and others for their services to Mumbai cricket. The monthly pension amount will be between Rs 15,000 and Rs 30,000 according to the criteria decided by the association," MCA secretary Dr Unmesh Khanvilkar told mid-day.