Maharashtra government asks Mumbai Cricket Association to pay Rs 120 crore or vacate Wankhede Stadium

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has received a notice from government of Maharashtra asking to clear dues of Rs 120 crore as unclear dues and lease renewal of the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Should MCA fail to pay this amount will result in vacating the international stadium. The state government leased the famous Wankhede Stadium to the MCA for 50 years, which perished in February last year. 

Mumbai collector Shivaji Jondhale has issued the notice to MCA on April 26 and has also said that the cricket authority has to show up with suitable documents for the hearing that has been scheduled on May 3. If MCA doesn’t do as directed by the State government, they shall begin with takeover procedures soon. Jondhale spoke about the matter and said that MCA had applied for renewal when the issue of dues came up and the matter will be decided on May 3. 

“MCA had applied for renewal of its lease when the issue of dues surfaced. Seeing their reputation, it is a petty amount for the association. There will not be any interim meeting or extension to the cricket body. The future course of action will be decided only after the meeting on May 3,” JOndhale said, reported PTI. 

Wankhede holds a special place in Indian cricket as the national side lifted their second World Cup title at the same venue in 2011 after beating Sri Lanka in the final. The stadium also holds the office of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).