MCA to honour groundsmen in unique manner during golden jubilee celebrations of Wankhede Stadium

MCA to honour groundsmen in unique manner during golden jubilee celebrations of Wankhede Stadium. (Photo Source: Twitter)

As the iconic Wankhede Stadium celebrates its golden jubilee, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has come up with a unique way to honour the unsung heroes of the game, the groundsmen.

The MCA has recognized the hard work of the 178 active groundsmen with a token of appreciation. Instead of monetary rewards, the association curated a Jumbo household hamper tailored to the everyday needs of these grassroots workers. The hamper included essentials such as five kilograms of wheat, rice, and dal. A mixer grinder along with medical and hydration kits.

Backpack, mini kit bag, and waist pouch. Tea bags and kettle. Towels and napkins. Pens and notepads. Bedsheet and pillow. T-shirt, track pants, shorts, socks, shoes, flip-flops, jackets, sunglasses, caps and hats. Toothbrush, toothpaste, soaps, hair oil, comb, blanket, umbrella, raincoat, utensils, sunscreen, and even sipper bottles.

“We could have given them money but that’s what we do all the time. We give them monetary bonuses for festivals and even when we host games. This time, we wanted to do something different and make their day memorable. We decided to present them with everything that one uses throughout the day. It’s just a list of basic things. Their role most of the time goes unnoticed but they are the heartbeat of each ground and stadium,” he said as quoted by The Indian Express.

Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar, other Mumbai captains felicitated as MCA kicks off Wankhede Stadium’s 50th anniversary celebrations

MCA also honoured members of the first-ever Mumbai Ranji Trophy-winning team that played at Wankhede Stadium in 1974. Five players from the victorious team, Karsan Ghavri, Padmakar Shivalkar, Ajit Pai, Milind Rege, and Abdul Ismail attended the event and were presented with INR 10 lakh each.

The MCA’s golden jubilee celebrations aim to pay tribute to all those who have shaped cricket in Mumbai. The celebrations are set to continue through the week and will end with a grand function on January 19. Cricketing legends such as Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, and Diana Edulji are expected to attend the event. Additionally, a memorial postal stamp and a coffee table book recording the stadium’s history were unveiled.

Built in 1974, Wankhede Stadium was established after a dispute over ticket distribution with the management of the Brabourne Stadium. Since then, it has become a historic venue, witnessing India’s 2011 ODI World Cup win and hosting numerous memorable matches.

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