MCA accepts SC verdict in toto, Sharad Pawar to quit president's post

The SC verdict has put an age cap of 70 years for cricket administrators

Mumbai Cricket Association president Sharad Pawar will quit his position in six months' time after the state body accepted the Supreme Court verdict on sweeping reforms in the BCCI and its affiliates in toto.

In a press conference after the Managing Committee meeting on Sunday, the 75-year-old Maharashtra strongman, who has been both ICC and BCCI chief, said he accepted the Supreme Court's verdict, which puts an age cap of 70 years for cricket administrators.

However, he added that the MCA will take six months to implement the apex court's orders, which effectively means he will not retire immediately.

"I respect the judiciary and will be happy and contended to retire from cricket administration. As you know during my time in the BCCI (as its president) and MCA, several things have been accomplished in support of cricket," Pawar said.

The MCA chief said the state association will now set into motion the process to redraw its constitution to align with the judgement.

"We discussed the Lodha Committee recommendations and the Supreme Court judgement and unanimously approved all recommendations given by the Supreme Court," he said.

"Now we will first redraw the constitution, get the draft approved by the managing committee before calling a Special General Meeting to get the amended constitution passed. We have six months' time," the seasoned politician said.

Pawar, who is on his way out as per the judgement, as he has completed the age cap of 70 years and the term cap of nine years cumulatively set as an office-bearer, said that on only one issue - one state, one vote - the MCA needed to get clarification from the BCCI.

"We accept the one state, one vote decision. But we are three associations belonging to Maharashtra state - Mumbai CA, Maharashtra CA and Vidarbha CA. As per the judgement we have to take turns to be represented in the BCCI.

"When Mumbai gets a chance to be represented, our jurisdiction will extend all over Maharashtra and not confined only to Mumbai and its surrounding areas like Navi Mumbai and Thane as is the case now. We will then have to include players from the rest of Maharashtra in our teams (to be fielded in Ranji Trophy and other tournaments)," the NCP chief said.