Mumbai: Shiv Sena on Friday announced its
support to the group led by former India skipper Dilip
Vengsarkar for the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) elections.
"Due to politicisation in cricket administration,
players have been distanced (from administration). Have
politicians like Sharad Pawar and Vilasrao Deshmukh held a
cricket bat in their hands ever?", Sena executive president
Uddhav Thackeray said.
The Sena leader said when his party objects to
Pakistani players, it is always told not to bring politics in
the game of cricket.
"What are these politicians then doing in cricket?",
he asked.
Uddhav said his party is of the view that political
interference has destroyed cricket and money has gained
priority.
"We feel the MCA polls is the right opportunity to
save cricket and throw politicians out of the MCA pitch," he
said.
Uddhav said though it was not wrong for politicians to
have a liking for the game, ruling the cricket board was a
different issue altogether.
"Even the Shiv Sena chief (Bal Thackeray) is an ardent
cricket fan but is opposed to politics on the cricket field.
Why should politicians rule MCA?", he asked.
Vengsarkar, who is contesting for the post of MCA
president, will take on incumbent and NCP chief Sharad Pawar
and Union Rural Development Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh in a
three-way battle to take control of the Association in the
July 15 polls.
Both Vengsarkar and Deshmukh are currently MCA vice-
presidents.
PTI
