Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected office-bearers of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Cricket Association was held with great enthusiasm on Sunday. On this occasion, the Association's newly elected President and State Cabinet Minister, Atul Save, expressed gratitude to the outgoing executive committee and pledged his commitment to elevating the standard of cricket in the city and developing sports infrastructure.
Dignitaries present on the dais included former Vice-Presidents Narendra Patil and Paras Chhajed, former Treasurer Subhash Patel, newly elected Vice-Presidents Sachin Mule and Umesh Dabri, newly elected Secretary Shirish Boralkar, newly elected Joint Secretary Karan Dogra, Treasurer Anil Iravane, and executive committee members Sudhir Bhalerao, Suyog Machhar, Nikhil Mitkar, and Hemant Mule. Newly elected member Sushil Vakil could not attend the ceremony as he was out of town.
The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Kiran Joshi, Jugalkishor Tapadia, Mohan Bomble, Anil Ahirwadkar, Vishal Pande, Arun Gudge, Vikas Lolge, Iqbal Siddiqui, Ajit Mule, Mohan Bora, Vasant Sharma, Municipal Corporation Standing Committee Chairman Anil Makariye, Subhash Atri, and Sachin Atri. Speaking on the occasion, the President acknowledged with appreciation the land acquired through the cooperation of CIDCO and the contributions made by former office-bearers.
Focus on Future Planning
Speaking about the Association's future course of action, newly elected President Atul Save announced that a special meeting of all members would be convened within the next 15 days. Through this meeting, suggestions from all members would be gathered in writing to formulate a concrete plan of action (agenda). Priority will be given to increasing player participation, understanding their challenges, and securing government funding for the development of the ground.
Expressing pride in the fact that the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Association owns its own ground, Atul Save expressed confidence that the entire team would work together to transform it into an excellent, world-class stadium. He also thanked everyone for the trust placed in him by the outgoing committee.
Save’s Leadership Crucial for Cricket’s Development – Boralkar
Speaking at the event, Secretary Shirish Boralkar noted that special efforts were made to persuade Atul Save to accept the presidency. As a key minister in the state cabinet, Save’s experience and position will directly benefit the district's players and the development of cricket. Although there had been some differences of opinion during the election process, they were akin to a domestic squabble; now, all disputes have been resolved, and the entire team has united.
Modernization of the Cricket Ground
The 'N-2' cricket ground, located in the heart of the city, spans an area of approximately nine acres. Individuals such as Mr. Subhash Lolge, J.U. Mitkar, and Kiran Joshi had previously made significant contributions to this ground. Secretary Shirish Boralkar expressed confidence that under Atul Save's leadership, the new team would strive to further develop the ground and provide international-standard facilities. Finally, the newly elected secretary thanked everyone for the excellent planning of the event.
Association’s Strong Financial Position
Former Treasurer Subhash Patel reviewed the Association's financial journey in his address. He noted that although court orders had previously caused difficulties and imposed restrictions, the committee had managed operations with great efficiency. He stated that the Association is currently in a very strong financial position, with ₹30 lakh securely held in fixed deposits (FDs).
Historical Journey and Future Direction:
During the event, senior mentor Narendra Patil recounted the Association's historical journey, which began in 1962. He noted that cricket in the city received a significant boost with the launch of the inaugural 'Aristo Trophy' in 1973. Although there were numerous initial challenges-necessitating meetings in locations ranging from the District Collector's office to showrooms-the Association reached its current stature through the collective efforts of all its members. He expressed confidence that the vision of the newly elected President would usher in a prosperous era for cricket in the district. Finally, the outgoing committee congratulated the new office-bearers and extended their best wishes for the future. Earlier, former Secretary and newly elected Vice-President Sachin Mule delivered the introductory remarks; he acknowledged the contributions of the previous executive committee and welcomed the new office-bearers. Treasurer Anil Iravane proposed the vote of thanks.