MCA renames Kandivali ground as Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana Club
Sachin Tendulkar is to be honoured by Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on November 11 by naming its newly built suburban Kandivli clubhouse after the champion cricketer who is to retire from the game at the conclusion of the second India-West Indies Test match, his 200th, on November 18.
"We have decided to name our clubhouse at Kandivli after Tendulkar and the unveiling function would be held there on November 11 in the presence of both the teams — West Indies and India," said newly elected MCA chief Sharad Pawar at a media conference on Tuesday.
The first Test of the India-West Indies series is to be played from November 6-10 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata while the second and final game, which would also mark the end of Tendulkar's glittering career, will be held at the Wankhede Stadium from November 14-18.
"Both India and West Indies teams would come to our Kandivli facility direct after landing in Mumbai from Kolkata to be present for the felicitation function and then go to their hotel. We want to hold it on a grand scale," Pawar said.
Pawar also said that this was the only official felicitation function that is planned by Tendulkar's parent association to mark his departure from the game.
Among the functionaries attending it would be current Cricket Board president N Srinvasan and the other office bearers of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
"This is the official felicitation function of Sachin Tendulkar by MCA. BCCI President N Srinivasan has accepted our invitation in principle to be present along with several other dignitaries, including the Maharashtra CM [Prithviraj Chavan]," Pawar said.
"The BCCI is likely to felicitate him ten minutes before the commencement of the Mumbai Test on November 14," he added.
Pawar said MCA's Kandivli clubhouse was even better than its clubhouse at the Bandra-Kurla Complex and will house several photographs from the cricket career of the batting great.
All the past cricketers from Mumbai, who have played Tests and Ranji Trophy, will be invited for the November 11 function.
© PTI
