MCA to raise a residential women's academy

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is planning to raise a residential women's cricket academy in Mumbai. MCA president Ajinkya Naik has formally written to the state Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asking for a suitable plot of land within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) for the establishment of a dedicated Residential Women's Cricket Academy.

The proposed academy aims to serve as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for women's cricket, offering world-class facilities including ground, indoor practice areas, gymnasium, physiotherapy and sports medicine support, residential accommodation, and academic classrooms. The facility will provide a centralised training and accommodation environment to help women cricketers focus on their overall game and development.

The MCA has noted that currently, women players in Mumbai face logistical challenges and travel long distances across the city and suburbs for practice sessions. "The proposed residential setup will address these difficulties by providing a single integrated space for training, recovery, and education," the MCA said.

The request letter was handed over to the Chief Minister during a felicitation function held in honour of the members of the state in the women's team that won the World Cup recently. Players Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, head coach Amol Muzumdar, bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi, and support staff members Mamta Shirsulla and Purva Kate seven members of the state that were honoured by the State Government on Friday (November 7).

Speaking on the initiative, MCA president Ajinkya Naik said: "The Mumbai Cricket Association has always been committed to advancing cricket infrastructure and nurturing talent across all levels. Establishing a dedicated Residential Women's Cricket Academy will be a major step forward in empowering women cricketers and strengthening Maharashtra's leadership in promoting women's sports."

The MCA has expressed its readiness to invest in the development of this facility and manage its operations on a not-for-profit basis, ensuring the focus remains on player welfare and talent development. "This landmark proposal aligns with the MCA's continued efforts to create a stronger, more inclusive cricketing ecosystem - one that provides equal opportunities and world-class infrastructure to both men and women cricketers from Mumbai and adjoining regions," the MCA said.