The Mumbai High Court has directed the BCCI to provide basic facilities to the budding cricketers

A bench of Justices Anil Menon and MS Karnik observed that many children as well as adults play cricket and other sports on public grounds across the state. Most of these grounds, whether under the control of civic bodies or cricket associations, lack basic facilities.

This is despite the fact that the memorandum between the BCCI and the MCA stipulates that basic facilities should be provided to “promote cricket” in training camps or in places where cricket is played.

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Mumbai High Court advocate Rahul Tiwari. Tiwary, who appeared in person (representing himself in the case), told the High Court that he was a professional cricketer and had participated in various state and district level competitions.

“When someone books a public ground for practice, they have to pay a fee to a civic body or sports federation that has jurisdiction over the ground,” he said. “However, most of these grounds, where professional cricket camps are held, do not have clean drinking water or toilets for players to use,” he said.

However, advocates for the MCA and the BCCI told the High Court that most of the public grounds in the state are under municipal jurisdiction. He further said that even after organizing camps or practice matches, permission to provide basic facilities was denied by the concerned civic or state authorities. However, a bench of the High Court said that such a statement was not acceptable.

The High Court told the MCA and the BCCI, “When did you apply and then not allow it? File an affidavit. “The bench said,” This is not an opposing lawsuit, because you can get your next star from the public arena. So many budding kids are playing in public. “

The court also said that the Cricket Association and the Greater Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) could not cite lack of funds as the reason for not providing basic facilities. “These are the last institutions that can say they don’t have the funds,” the High Court said.

“Sports should be promoted not only for children but also for adults,” it said. The High Court directed the Maharashtra government, BMC, MCA and BCCI to file affidavits within two weeks stating the number of grounds under their jurisdiction and the facilities to be provided there.

(With PTI input)