India batting great Dilip Vengsarkar displays high optimism level in his quest to jump from vice-president to president of the Sharad Pawar-headed Mumbai Cricket Association
India batting great Dilip Vengsarkar displays high optimism level in his quest to jump from vice-president to president of the Sharad Pawar-headed Mumbai Cricket Association
Twenty-five summers ago, Dilip Vengsarkar was on the threshold of a career high ufffd the first man to score three consecutive Test hundreds against England at Lord's which he achieved on June 7, 1986. 
Sticking His Head Out: Dilip Vengsarkar smiles through a curtain of the
Wankhede Stadium dressing room during a Mumbai vs Karnataka Ranji
Trophy gamein 2007.
PIC/ATUL KAMBLE
The 55-year-old former India captain would like to think he is on the cusp of cricket administrative glory as he sets out to become the second Test cricketer (after Madhav Mantri) to head the Mumbai Cricket Association after it moved to the Wankhede Stadium.
There is a fat chance that MCA vice-president Vengsarkar could contest against current president Sharad Pawar, who made an entry into Mumbai cricket politics in 2001.
The elections may be held in June. Former Maharashtra chief ministers Narayan Rane and Vilasrao Deshmukh are reported to be in the fray for the MCA president's post too. Vengsarkar though, stayed away from commenting on his possible opposition.
Excerpts from an interview:
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Will you be contesting against Sharad Pawar?
All I can say at the moment is that I'm contesting for the president's post. I don't know whether Mr Pawar is
contesting.
My ambitions centre around the welfare of cricket in Mumbai. If I'm seeking to become MCA president, it doesn't mean I'm in conflict with anyone.
If elected, how do you intend to make a difference?
Firstly, I have completed eight years as vice-president. Secondly, I strongly feel I have worked very hard for Mumbai's cricket not only as a player but also as an administrator. I have been in the game for many decades now.
I have a lot of cricketing programmes in mind that could be implemented immediately. We had a less than-average year by Mumbai's standards in the various age group teams' performance at the all-India level.
I would like to see Mumbai cricket right on top once again. Besides, my dream is to have a sports university where talented sportsmen can be trained. I have identified a plot near Thane and talks are on with authorities.
Your decision to contest for the top post could mean that you will be up against politicians. What makes you confident of winning?
The cricket-loving people of Mumbai know what I have been doing for the game in the last two decades since my retirement from Test cricket. I am involved with the game for almost four decades. I know an election is a different ball game, but I am not new to it. I am extremely confident of winning it.
In a nutshell... your vision for Mumbai cricket?
Firstly, my job will be to boost cricket at all levels. The inter-school, inter-collegiate, inter-varsity, club and office cricket need support and improvement. There is a lot of cricket being played in the suburbs. Most players who play for Mumbai emerge from the suburbs. Though we have infrastructure in place, we need to better it in order to churn out quality players consistently.
The game has spread to Dahanu and Panvel; millions play it. Mumbai ruled Indian cricket for many years and that was not only because of a strong cricketing culture, but our system has done wonders at all levels of the game too. However, the conditions of grounds, quality of wickets, coaching, tournaments, and grassroot level cricket need more improvement to get the best results. We need to start the Mumbai Premier League which we planned last year.
As many as 160 club cricketers would get exposure and besides clubs, the players would avail of tremendous financial benefits. The MCA completed 75 years but unfortunately, we could not hold an international event to celebrate it despite getting clearance from the BCCI. That surely is a priority.u00a0 I also want to have reciprocal arrangements with international cricket academies which would enhance overall quality of young cricketers, coaches and umpires.
What is the most worrying aspect in Mumbai cricket today?
As Mumbai cricketers, we played the game at a much higher level than many in other states. We learnt a lot from our seniors at the college, club, office and state level.
They inculcated in us the pride in playing for Mumbai and to be No 1. We passed on the same to the juniors.
That's why it is heart-wrenching to see Mumbai teams are not as consistent as they used to be. With proper, meticulous planning, I am sure everything will fall in place in time to come.
It is also important to create jobs for cricketers.
Gone are the days when players had the choice which bank or company to join. Unfortunately, the private sector is not as forthcoming as one would like to be.u00a0
The public sector is in a position to offer jobs and have excellent teams. However, more office tournaments need to be organised to create more interest.
Are you going to form a group that will comprise prominent cricketers? Which of them have assured you that they will come on board?
Though it's too early to talk about it, it's important to have a good blend of cricketers and administrators who would give off their best for the betterment of Mumbai cricket.
Did the likes of Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath (who have taken over Karnataka cricket) inspire you to take this decision to head the MCA?
I have been the vice-president of MCA for the last eight years. However, it's the first year for Kumble and Srinath.
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