MUMBAI: In India, cricket rakes in money at the drop of a hat. Big corporates keep a blank cheque ready for top stars or telecast rights, but rarely does anyone bother about the people behind the show, for example the groundstaff (in India they are called maalis) who toils hard all year to keep the ground in ready condition when its ‘action time.’
In a unique, laudable gesture, a private firm has decided to sponsor the entire groundstaff of Mumbai Cricket Association at the Wankhede Stadium, the Sharad Pawar Recreation Centre at BKC and the Sachin Tendulkar Gymkhana - totalling to about 30-35 in number - for the entire cricketing season, starting with IPL-2022. The corporate has provided for a corpus of around Rs 80 lakhs to the MCA for the groundstaff at these three venues.
During the IPL, the Wankhede Stadium’s 18-odd ground staff is being provided accommodation in a five-star hotel near the ground by the corporate. The company is also taking care of the groundstaff’s commute from the ground and back to the hotel, and food expenses.
“All the facilities which are provided to the players at the five-star hotel will be provided to the groundsmen as well,” said a source in the MCA.
During the opening game between the Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday night, the stadium’s groundsmen turned out in designer uniforms designed by famous fashion designer Masaba Gupta, daughter of West Indians cricket legend Viv Richards and Bollywood actor Neena Gupta.
“We’ve never been treated so well before. It’s rare to get this kind of honour and recognition for our services,” said a member of the MCA groundstaff.
“They are treating the ground staff at par with players. They’re giving them all the facilities during the IPL. All the groundmen are happy. They’ve created a corpus also with a substantial amount,” MCA secretary Sanjay Naik told TOI.
