Bombay Hockey Association and Mumbai Cricket Association are located on the same area, adjoinng each other. It was in the MCA grounds, called Wankhede Cricket Ground,India’s hockey world cup in 1981-82 was held. The both organizations have thrived together in letter and spirit, though their growth pattern took a leap on different stakes. Vry fittingly, conforming their historical symphony, Mumbai Cricket Association president Sharad Pawar, who is also heading the powerful Board for Control of Criket in India (BCCI), wrote to Vilasrao Dehmukh, Chief Minister, Maharastra State Government, in support of BHA’s lease extention.

It is interesting note here that Sharad Pawar is presenlty the Union Government’s Minister for Agriculture and also former Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Therefore, his letter carries lot of weight in the quarters that count in this matter. s2h is in possession of a copy of the orginal letter written by the veteran politicain to chief minister, which is given below.

Dear Vilasrao

The government of Maharashtra had allotted land to Bombay Hockey Association on a long term lese to promote and develop the game of the hockey in the city of Mumbai. The lease expired in the year 2003 and the same was not being renewed by the Government and in fact BHA was served a notice to vacate the land. The decision of the government has come in for severe criticism from the hockey players the sportsperson in general.

BHA has been using the ground and its facilities mainly for holding coaching camps and to conduct hockey tournament for the schools, college, offices and the affiliated clubs in Mumbai. They have been regularly hosting the National Tournaments and have also hosted international hockey matches.

Bombay Hockey Association has produced a number of international players of repute who have made the country proud and the Mumbai hockey team (Mumbai Warriors) has been doing extremely well in the nationals. In fact BHA is one of the very few stadiums which has an Astro turf and has infrastructure to play good hockey and is also a good flood light stadium.

Mumbai Cricket Association situated next to BHA has been given land on lease for the promotion and development of cricket and MCA and BHA have enjoyed cordial relations and supported each other. The General Body of BHA has passed a resolution requesting the Government to transfer 188.72 Square meters of its land to the Mumbai Cricket Association which is redeveloping the Wankhede Stadium.

As a sporting organization ourselves, we have to request the Government of Maharashtra to kindly reconsider its decision asking BHA to vacate the premises.

Their lease may be renewed and stringent guidelines be laid down for them to follow in future and they may be penalized for the lapses if any.

Yours sincerely

Shard Pawar

To
Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh
Chief Minister, Govt. of Maharashtra
Mantralaya, Mumbai.