CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis have promised that all pending issues related to cricket development and administration will be resolved at the earliest. They were addressing the representatives of the clubs, schools and institutes who will be casting their vote in the ensuing elections of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). The two were invited by a cocktail panel of leaders and associates of the principal political parties such as the Shiv Sena’s two warring groups, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Nationalist Congress Party, on Wednesday night.

The head of state and his deputy have promised that the security bill worth crores that has been raised by the city police over the years for several tournaments will be waived, new pitches and stadia will be constructed wherever land is available in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and MMR towns. In addition, the lease agreement of at least 54 club premises at several playgrounds including Shivaji Park, Azad Maidan and Oval ground, and Wankhede Stadium will be renewed soon. They said they will ensure that sport quota recruitment in the government gathers pace.