Sharad Pawar to step down as MCA chief

Mumbai, July 24: Bowing to the recent Supreme Court verdict, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) President Sharad Pawar announced his decision to quit the post within six months, here on Sunday. The 75-year-old Pawar — ranked amongst the finest cricket administrators in the world who has earlier held the top posts in Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Intertiol Cricket Council (ICC) — said he honoured the Supreme Court verdict putting an upper age limit of 70 for cricket administrators. “I respect the judiciary and shall happily retire from cricket administration. During my tenure at BCCI and MCA, many things were accomplished in support of cricket,” Pawar told media persons here Sunday afternoon after an MCA meeting. However, he said the MCA would need around six months to implement the apex court orders, and set in motion the process to revise its constitution in tune with the judgement. “We discussed the recommendations of former Chief Justice R.M. Lodha Committee, the Supreme Court verdict and unimously approved all the recommendations,” Pawar added. By implication, Pawar would no longer be involved in any kind of cricket administration in the country as ordained by the Supreme Court. (IANS)