So, our U-23 cricketers must travel two-and-a-half hours for a summer camp?

As the T20 Mumbai League preparations gain momentum, it appears that the primary focus on nurturing young talent is taking a backseat. While officials are busy securing star players for the league and issuing directives for their participation, the upcoming U-23 Summer Vacation Camp has raised concerns about accessibility and fairness. The Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) zeal to make the League a success seems to have overshadowed its fundamental responsibility towards budding under-23 cricketers.

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The selection centres for the U-23 trials (for boys residing from Dahisar to Dahanu) are located at Vangaon (Western suburbs) while Shahapur (Eastern and Central suburbs) will train boys from Thane to Vangani and Navi Mumbai  and Shahad to Asangaon, Bhiwandi and Padgha. These venues are situated outside Mumbai limits, necessitating extensive travel — approximately two-and-a-half hours one way. With the selection process commencing at 7 am, this travel burden may discourage many talented young cricketers from participating. It’s paradoxical that the MCA’s promotional efforts extend to areas like Dahanu and Badlapur, yet the selection process favours locations that are inaccessible to most participants.

The MCA should prioritise fairness and accessibility in its selection process, ensuring that all potential participants can attend without undue hardship. Rather than being dictated by personal connections to specific areas, the choice of selection centres should be guided by the principles of inclusivity and equality. By re-evaluating the selection centres and timing, the MCA can foster a more diverse and talented pool of cricketers, ultimately 
benefiting the sport in the region.

Jagdish Achrekar was Treasurer of the MCA before the last elections in 2002

The views expressed in this column are the individual’s and don’t represent those of the paper