MCA to Launch New Cricket Academy, Regional Centres
Maharashtra Cricket Association to Also Develop Regional Centres Across Maharashtra
The Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) will establish its own cricket academy modeled after the Centre of Excellence (formerly known as the NCA) in Bengaluru, announced MCA president Rohit Pawar.
The new facility will be named the ‘Ajay Shirke – Maharashtra Cricket Academy’, honouring former Maharashtra Cricket Association president Ajay Shirke, who also served as the treasurer and secretary of the BCCI.
Pawar made the announcement during the MahaVandan MCA Awards 2025 ceremony, reaffirming MCA’s commitment to grassroots cricket development.
Financial Boost to District Associations
To kickstart this initiative, the MCA will provide Rs 75 lakh each to six district cricket associations. These include Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, and Parbhani.
Pawar confirmed that similar financial support would be extended to the remaining districts under the MCA’s jurisdiction in future phases.
“The Maharashtra Cricket Association remains committed to the development of grassroots cricket. The announcement of our very own cricket academy is a major step in this direction,” Pawar said in a press release.
Currently, 21 district associations fall under MCA’s umbrella, and the aim is to establish regional centres to widen the pool of young cricketing talent across the state.
Honouring Legends at MahaVandan MCA Awards
The event also recognized stalwarts of Maharashtra and Indian cricket. Former India women’s team captain Shubhangi Kulkarni received the prestigious MCA Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contribution to the game.
Meanwhile, former India cricketer Kedar Jadhav, who retired in June 2024, was honoured with the Legendary Cricketer Award for his “remarkable contribution” to both Maharashtra and Indian cricket.
The establishment of the Ajay Shirke – Maharashtra Cricket Academy marks a significant milestone for MCA’s future vision — creating world-class facilities and nurturing the next generation of cricketers directly from grassroots levels.
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