Pawar inaugurates new BCCI headquarters

Mumbai, Nov 4 (UNI) The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) new headquarters at the Wankhede stadium was inaugurated by its president Sharad Pawar here today.

Mr Pawar also conferred the prestigious C K Nayudu award, which includes a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 5 Lakh to former captains Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Chandu Borde, record holder of the highest first class individual score in India, Bhausaheb Nimbalkar, and famous spin quartet of Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, B S Chandrasekhar and S Venkatraghavan.

On the occasion, eight former presidents of the Board and 16 former India captains, including Mohammed Azharuddin, were also felicitated at the hands of the BCCI president at a glittering function where the greats of Indian cricket were present.

From the present Indian team, captain Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag were there.

Notable absentees at the function were Kapil Dev, who is travelling abroad, D K Gaikwad and an ailing Polly Umrigar.

Top officials of the International Cricket Council, including President Percy Sonn and Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed, BCCI and Mumbai Cricket Association officials were also present on the occasion.

BCCI sources said though invites were sent to former Board presidents Jagmohan Dalmiya and A C Mutiah, both of them did not turn up for the occasion.

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