“We at the Tourism Dept had requested @MumbaiCricAssoc to work with us on opening up of Wankhede Stadium for a stadium experience tour to tourists and fans from around the world. They have agreed in principle to work together on the same,” Thackeray, son of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray tweeted on Tuesday.
The concept is already popular abroad, with leading cricket, football and tennis clubs providing such stadium tour experiences. It also provides revenues to these clubs. In India, the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala is perhaps the only stadium currently where tourists are allowed inside the stadium when there is no international game on.
Along with me, MoS @iAditiTatkare ji, @valsanair ji and @salilashutosh ji are personally keen to ensure that we sho… https://t.co/aUZHg9IrQM
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) 1600764033000
The MCA has already announced that it will launch a museum to showcase the stadium, where India won the World Cup final in 2011 by beating Sri Lanka, and Indian and Mumbai cricket’s rich history too.
“Along with the stadium experience tour, I had discussed with Hon’ble Sharad Pawar sir earlier, and MCA President Vijay Patil ji, on having a museum of ‘Indian Cricket emanating from Mumbai’. The MCA has agreed for this as well, to be either in Wankhede or any suitable place,” Thackeray tweeted.
“I’m thankful to the MCA apex committee for this key partnership. For most of us, Cricket is a religion. Wankhede is where India won the World Cup. This truly shall be a place for not just tourists, but for devotees of cricket and their fav players. Thank you @VijaypatilDji,” he concluded.