MCA asks state government for land to build new stadium

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has requested the Maharashtra government to allot it a plot of land for building a bigger stadium in South Mumbai.

The request was conveyed to chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who was present at the inauguration of the MCA's indoor cricket facility at its Bandra-Kurla complex on December 14. Deshmukh said the government would consider the request.

Sharad Pawar, the MCA president and the chairman of the Indian board, said though Mumbai had been allotted the final of the World Cup in 2011, to be jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the Wankhede Stadium, in its present state, may not be able to get the ICC's approval.

"It's difficult to see the ICC accepting the Wankhede Stadium under its present condition to host the World Cup final," Pawar said.

"Wankhede has a capacity of around 45,000 out of which only 8,000 tickets are available for the general public and the rest are booked for the clubs in Mumbai. Therefore we are looking to build a world class-stadium which will have a capacity of around 80,000 to 100,000."

The Wankhede Stadium, however, is set to undergo renovation for the World Cup.