In what could potentially be a game-changer for school sports in the city, Indian Premier League (IPL) giants Mumbai Indians have entered into an agreement with the Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) for developing infrastructure for 20-odd disciplines.
The Mukesh Ambani-owned franchise has signed a five-year deal with the 119-year-old association, thus spreading its wings beyond cricket. The sponsorship amount was not disclosed.
“There is hardly any sport the MSSA doesn’t promote. This is a significant step for us in our efforts to promote sports other than cricket at the grassroots,” Nita Ambani, the industrialist’s wife, said here on Friday. “I have come here not only as a participant but also as a parent,” she added.
The framework of the deal is yet to be finalised. However, it is learnt that the Mumbai Indians will fund all of MSSA’s projects. The tournaments will be continued to be run by the MSSA.
The MSSA has proposed several changes, topmost being the revamp of the football ground at Azad Maidan. An artificial turf will be laid at the ground which now wears a barren look. Floodlights, too, will be installed. The project will be funded entirely by the Mumbai Indians.
“This partnership will help in turning the desert in front of you into an oasis. We expect to finish the project before the start of the next season. It will enable us to host more matches and more importantly, the children will get to play in better conditions,” MSSA president Fr Jude Rodrigues said.
The MSSA has a football ground, three tennis courts and a basketball court at Azad Maidan. There will be a phase-wise revamp of all venues, Fr Rodrigues said, adding that the MSSA will reduce the number of tennis courts to two and develop an indoor stadium instead.
“The indoor stadium will be used for table tennis, badminton, chess, carrom and a few other indoor sports,” he informed.
The MSSA will also invite schools, including the municipal ones, to use the facilities for free. Around 400 schools are affiliated to the MSSA. The schools pay an annual membership fee of Rs 2,000.
