Abhay Hadap Wins Election to Become Secretary of Mumbai Cricket Association

Abhay Hadap emerged victorious over Suraj Samat, who was supported by Sachin Tendulkar, to become the secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Tuesday. Hadap secured 196 votes, while Samat received 141 out of the 337 ballots cast.

Hadap, who has over three decades of experience in organising cricket tournaments in Mumbai, expressed his gratitude and surprise at his victory. "I never even dreamt that I'll become the MCA secretary one day, or that I'll reach this level. This is a common man's victory. My win was possible because of all the maidan club secretaries and cricketers," he told the media.

Hadap's Vision for Mumbai Cricket

Hadap plans to utilise his one-year term to make significant contributions to Mumbai cricket and the maidans. He aims to collaborate with the MCA Apex Council and president Ajinkya Naik, sharing a common goal of serving cricket. "I have one year in hand and that is more than sufficient for me to do a lot of things for Mumbai cricket and the maidans. I'd like to work with the MCA Apex Council and our president Ajinkya Naik, whose motto is also the same as mine -- to serve cricket," he added.

Ajinkya Naik, who succeeded Amol Kale as MCA president following Kale's death in June, praised Hadap's long-standing dedication to maidan cricket. Naik recalled Hadap's involvement in the Ajit Naik Under-14 Tournament at Worli, which he played in as a child. "Hadap has been working for maidan cricket for the last 35 years. Around 25 years ago, when I was a kid, I played in the Ajit Naik Under-14 Tournament at Worli. Hadap is one of the pioneers of that tournament, and is still organising that event," Naik said.

Hadap's Contributions to Local Cricket

Last season alone, Hadap organised 105 local cricket tournaments. His extensive experience includes working with MCA since 2011 and being associated with various sports over the past 35 years. "He has been working with MCA since 2011. He has been associated with various sports in the last 35 years," Naik noted.

Naik also highlighted Hadap's role in nurturing young talent through tournaments like the Worli Sports Club tournament Ajit Naik U-14 Tournament, where prominent Indian players such as Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane have competed. "When I was a kid he was the organiser of the Worli Sports Club tournament Ajit Naik U-14 Tournament in which Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and most of the India players have played," he added.

Hadap succeeds Ajinkya Naik as secretary, who was elected president after Amol Kale's demise in June.