Ajinkya Naik Elected Youngest President of Mumbai Cricket Association

Ajinkya Naik, the incumbent secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), has been elected as the new president, defeating vice-president Sanjay Naik by a significant margin of 107 votes. At 37 years old, Ajinkya Naik has made history as the youngest president of the MCA.

Election Results Announced

The election, which saw a total of 335 votes cast, was officially declared by election officer J.S. Saharia. Ajinkya Naik secured 221 votes, while his opponent, Sanjay Naik, representing the Ashish Shelar Group, garnered 114 votes. Following Ajinkya’s elevation to the presidency, an election for the now-vacant secretary’s post will be held within 45 days.

In his victory speech, Ajinkya Naik emphasised the support he received from grassroots cricket enthusiasts. “This is the victory of maidan cricket. It’s a triumph of all the maidan club secretaries, schools and college gymkhana secretaries, and the former cricketers. I am only their representative,” Ajinkya stated. He acknowledged his long journey within the MCA, having served since 2015 in various roles.

Political Undercurrents in the Election

The battle between the Naiks became increasingly political in the days leading up to the election. Ajinkya maintained a narrative of representing the maidan cricketers and avoided political endorsements during his campaign. In contrast, Sanjay Naik had the backing of Ashish Shelar, a prominent BJP leader and BCCI treasurer. The lack of endorsement from Sharad Pawar, a significant political figure, indicated his disapproval of Sanjay’s candidacy. Ajinkya’s campaign also received support from other political leaders, including top BJP officials in the state, bolstered by his father-in-law’s position as a legislator.

Ajinkya acknowledged the political dynamics, stating, “It was expected but I was keeping quiet till the result was official. It was cricket and a lot of unseen powers in the game that were backing me. But definitely our mentor has been Sharad Pawar sir. He has been backing me and we have been seeking his blessings all the time.”

Future Plans and Priorities

Ajinkya Naik highlighted his priorities as the new MCA president, focusing on creating employment opportunities for young cricketers. “We started the Knowledge Centre last month. Now my plan is to present employment opportunities to young cricketers,” he said. Ajinkya outlined plans for a career fair, inviting government organizations and corporates to offer permanent jobs to cricketers, many of whom are currently employed on a contract basis.

The election was necessitated by the demise of former president Amol Kale on June 10. Ajinkya Naik’s victory marks a new era for the Mumbai Cricket Association, with promises of progressive changes and enhanced support for young cricketers.

As the youngest MCA president, Ajinkya Naik’s tenure is anticipated to bring fresh perspectives and robust initiatives to support and develop cricket at all levels in Mumbai.

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