Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Dilip Vengsarkar may lose voting rights in MCA

In a prominent piece of news related to Mumbai cricket, the local icons including Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, and Dilip Vengsarkar might lose their voting rights in the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). Members of the MCA have called for a special general body meeting on July 29 (Friday) to abolish the voting rights of international cricketers and make changes to its constitution.

The MCA in its proposal has stated that no individual member including patron members or donor members has any voting rights. As per the directives given by the Lodha Committee, only international cricketers should be granted memberships of the association. Assigning voting rights to them would amount to altering the foundation of the applicant Association.

As per the directives of the Supreme Court made on the suggestions of the Lodha Committee, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to alter its constitution and give voting rights to all former international players in their respective associations. Similarly, the Apex Court had also barred anyone to hold a position after reaching the age of 70.

International players can be associate members: MCA in its proposal

“No individual member like Patron members, donor members, etc. has any voting rights. Also, the Lodha Committee had only recommended that International players should be granted memberships of the Association. Assigning voting rights to international cricketers would amount to altering the foundation of the applicant Association. However, international players can be Associate Members and shall be invited and shall attend the meeting and make their contributions/suggestions,” the MCA proposal states.

The MCA feels that disqualification on the basis of age is neither fair nor practical.

“Disqualification on the basis of age is neither fair nor practical. There are many examples of administrators who have served the game of cricket beyond the age of 70 years. MCA owes much of its success to the great leadership of administrators who contributed to the Association even after they were 70 years old. MCA strongly feels that the game should not be deprived of their expertise,” the MCA explanation reads.