MCA needs MBAs, says Milind Rege

Molin Rege continues to be in the inner ring of administration in Mumbai cricket. Rege first played for the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team in 1967-68 and led Mumbai in 1977-78. Rege later served Mumbai cricket as a selector. A managing committee member in president Sharad Pawar's reign, Rege has now shifted to the Dilip Vengsarkar camp and is hoping to be elected as vice-president of the Mumbai Cricket Association in the July 15 elections.

Excerpts from a chat:

Why did you switch over from the Pawar camp?
Firstly, I had no place after working for eight years. Mr Pawar did not offer me any place. I finished my term of office, but the passion to serve Mumbai cricket was still there. I was keen to join my cricketing fraternity and Dilip (Vengsarkar) was very keen to have me. The second reason was the experience that I had gathered over the years.
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Did you ever get the feeling that cricketers were not welcome to join the fold?
I never got that feeling. I waited like a faithful soldier for instructions. Since my managing committee term was getting over, I still felt that it is my prerogative to serve Mumbai and nobody can take it away from me.
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What is it that you want to change in Mumbai cricket?
There is no such thing as change. It's a process. Our strength lies in expertise in the game. The MCA is not just about building structures. We have to also look after the game. I feel I contributed quite a bit as the secretary of the Cricket Improvement Committee for which credit should go to Mr Pawar, who initiated it. He allowed cricketers to look after cricket. This never happened before.

Something you wished to implement, but could not in your time...
The important thing in an association is implementation of whatever is discussed. That I feel was sometimes lacking. It is time for us to have employees who are MBAs. The MCA is massive now. You must have people with ability to handle issues like finance, law and administration. The honorary people (elected members) should overlook things, but we need employees for implementation purpose and accountable to the CEO.
No point blaming the secretaries for everything because their cup is already overflowing.