Maharashtra plans unique Tendulkar felicitation

The Maharashtra government has set up a high-level committee to accord an official and unique felicitation to Sachin Tendulkar when he retires from Test cricket, an official said here Friday.

The seven-member committee is headed by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and has Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar as patron and Sports Minister Padmakar Walvi as chairman, besides other officials.

"The committee will chalk out the modalities of honouring Tendulkar, including the date, venue and other details," an official from the state sports department told IANS.

The state government issued an official notification specifying the committee details and other aspects of the felicitation programme.

Tendulkar is scheduled to play his last and milestone 200th Test match against the West Indies in his hometown Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium next week (Nov 14-18), drawing curtains on a spectacular cricket career spanning over two decades that mad him "God of Crickt".

Lauding Tendulkar as "a great son of Maharashtra", the state government said his contribution to the game enhanced the prestige of the state and India around the world.

Though the committee is yet to hold its first meeting, it is learnt the state government plans to present Tendulkar with a unique and special memento during the felicitation, though details are not being revealed.