Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium To Be Used As Quarantine Facility

With the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc in Maharashtra, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has directed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to hand over the iconic Wankhede Stadium in order to converte it into a quarantine facility.

Wankhede Stadium holds very special memory for every Indian fan. It is the same stadium where India had defeated Sri Lanka in 2011 to win the World Cup. The triumph had ended India’s 28-year wait for the World Cup.

Coming to the latest turn of events, the MCA officials have received a letter from the MCGM, according to Sportstar. Through the letter, the MCGM has sought “immediate handover” of the stadium. According to the letter, the Wankhede premises would be used for high-risk contacts.

“The said premises will be used for emergency staff of ‘A’ Ward and quarantining the person whoever in contact with positive COVID-19 patient and are not symptomatic,” stated the letter issued by Chanda R. Jadhav, Assistant Commissioner of ‘A’ ward.

MCA secretary Sanjay Naik later confirmed the news of receiving the letter, saying that the association will comply fully with the authorities. “We are now waiting for further instructions from the assistant commissioner,” Naik said.

The news outlet further stated that the MCGM is unlikely to utilise the ground for the time being, anticipating the pre-monsoon showers. And thus, the closed-door facilities in the stadium, including the press box, the president’s box and a few corporate boxes are likely to be used.

Besides the iconic stadium, the premises also houses the MCA, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Garware Club House (GCH). Raj Purohit, vice-president of GCH, confirmed that so far the club hasn’t received any notification about being handed over.

“Since the club is closed for two months now, we haven’t been able to maintain it, but if the authorities still want possession, we shall obviously comply,” he said.

In the light of the pandemic, the MCGM has acquired a number of sports centres.  The municipal corporation has already converted the National Sports Club of India in Worli and the Mahalaxmi Race Course into temporary healthcare facilities.

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