MCA elections: 2011 WC hosting is main issue

As mumbai cricket goes to polls today, hosting of the 2011 world cup will occupy the minds of voters

The Mumbai Cricket Association goes to polls today to elect a new managing committee under the presidentship of Sharad Pawar.

The candidates have spared no effort to get the votes. But, they will do well to give a thought to the challenges that lie ahead for the forthcoming term. For, whoever is electedu00a0u00a0 should brace up for the toughest tenure in MCA's history. The administrative acumen of the new committee will be tested to the full as they will have to oversee the rebuilding of the Wankhede Stadium in time to organise the 2011 World Cup matches including the final.

Heavy task
Talking from his experience as an MCA administrator, former India cricketer Bapu Nadkarni, said: "Whosoever is elected, I can guarantee you, will have a very, very big task to carry out. I know that from my experience of handling the hosting of the World Cup in 1987. It is a tremendous responsibility. This time it is more than a World Cup because cricket has become so big. So many things have to be looked after, most importantly, infrastructure. There are so many requirements laid out by the International Cricket Council."

Nadkarni, Hon Jt Secretary of the MCA in 1987, played a key role in organising two World Cup matches at the Wankhede Stadium.

Unity
The veteran cricket administrator said unity will be the key to success. "It is not about one individual or the other. It is a team thing right from the president to the last man. All have to come together and work in a dedicated way because time is very short. If the committee can take care of the infrastructure, I think 90 per cent of the work is done," he said. "The schedule has to be drawn and it has to be followed 110 per cent, only then you can achieve the target."

Veteran Mumbai cricket administrator Gopal Koli echoed Nadkarni's views. "They will need to get the stadium ready at least six months before the World Cup to provide enough time to lay the new turf and wicket," said Koli.