Mumbai Dussehra rally: MCA opposes Azad Maidan, Cross Maidan event over cricket commitments

The Mumbai Cricket Association MCA has opposed the proposed Dussehra rally at Azad Maidan and Cross Maidan saying both grounds are already booked for cricket during the October 1820 periodIn a letter to Maharashtra Sports Principal Secretary Ranjit Singh Deol dated September 21 the MCA said the maidans are earmarked for scheduled matches tournaments and other cricketing activities and that it cannot issue a No Objection Certificate NOC for the proposed eventpopcorn numberSept 21 descDay MCA wrote a letter to state sports principal secretary classDefaultThe association also raised concerns that a large public event could damage pitches outfields and practice areas while the movement of heavy vehicles installation of temporary structures and large crowds could make restoration timeconsuming and costlyPeople attending the Dasara rally PicsAtul KamblelsquoGrounds can be damagedrsquoThe MCA said large public events involve temporary structures heavy vehicles sound and electrical equipment and significant footfall all of which could affect pitches outfields and practice areas ldquoThe proposed event by its very nature is likely to involve the installation of temporary structures movement of heavy vehicles sound and electrical equipment and significant public footfall Such activities inevitably pose a risk to the playing surfaces including pitches outfields and practice areasrdquo as per the MCA letter The association said the grounds already face substantial wear during the cricket season and require continuous maintenance to remain matchreadyRestoration comes at a costThe MCA said restoring cricket grounds after large public events can require specialised maintenance manpower and additional expenditureldquoRepairing pitches and restoring playing surfaces often requires considerable manpower specialised maintenance efforts and financial expenditure More importantly the resulting disruption can directly impact the cricket calendar and the interests of hundreds of players and affiliated clubs who depend on these groundsrdquo as per the MCA letterThe association said there was ldquoneither any requirement nor any justificationrdquo from its perspective for making the grounds available for nonsporting activities during the cricket seasonMCA wants permission reviewedThe MCA has asked the Sports and Youth Services Department to reconsider the permission It has also sought a broader system for future nonsporting events on grounds regularly used for MCA cricket ldquoThe MCA has consistently worked towards preservation maintenance and development of these historic sporting venues Protecting these grounds from avoidable damage is essential not only for the conduct of cricket but also for safeguarding an important sporting legacy of the city We therefore seek your immediate intervention and request that the permission granted for the proposed Dussehra Mela be reviewed in the larger interest of cricket and the protection of sporting infrastructurerdquo said Prof Dr Unmesh Khanvilkar Secretary MCAThe MCArsquos objectiongtgt Proposed event Dussehra rallygtgt Proposed dates October 18ndash20gtgt Venues Azad Maidan and Cross Maidangtgt MCA position No NOCgtgt Reason Grounds already committed to cricket activitiesgtgt Main concern Damage to playing surfaces and disruption to the cricket calendarldquoAt the outset the Mumbai Cricket Association MCA wishes to place on record its inability to issue a No Objection Certificate NOC for the proposed event as both maidans are already earmarked for scheduled cricket matches and tournaments forming part of the MCArsquos approved cricket calendar The grounds are therefore required for ongoing and planned cricket activities during the said periodrdquo as per the MCA letterWhat Shiv Sena saysShiv Sena spokesperson Arun Sawant said ldquoWe have made applications to a few groundsvenues for holding our annual rally Azad Maidan Cross Maidan along with Worli Dome and Goregaon Exhibition Centre are on our list The final venue will be decided taking into consideration the rain and other factorsrdquo said Arun Sawant Shiv Sena spokesperson Asked about the MCArsquos objection Sawant said ldquoWe are not aware of any such letter and so our concerned officebearers looking after the groundvenue bookings will respond to this once we get a copy of the letterrdquolsquoProtect the maidansrsquoNadim Memon MCA Maidan Secretary and Apex Council member said the grounds were essential to the associationrsquos cricketing commitments ldquoWe got to know from the Maharashtra Sports Department that the Shiv Sena Eknath Shinde faction wants to hold its annual Dussehra rally at Azad Maidan and Cross Maidan The Mumbai Cricket Association has decided not to give a No Objection Certificate for the same as we have a packed cricket calendar and organising such rallies melavas or events on the historic grounds can damage the groundsrdquo