New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) has announced that it will provide monthly financial aid to former women cricketers from the state who are not covered under the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) pension scheme.

Under the new scheme approved by the MPCA after the proposals were put forward in its managing committee meeting on March 31, former international players hailing from the state will receive Rs 12,500 per month, while domestic cricketers will be eligible for support ranging from Rs 6,000 to 10,000 depending on the number of matches played under the Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI) or BCCI.

“When we came here with the new committee, we had been thinking about this for a long time – that the women’s pension scheme should be opened for ex-cricketers. Our committee came in September last year, and we have been working on this since then. Now to see it become a reality, this is the achievement of our whole committee, in which there was a lot of support from Mahanaaryaman Scindia ji,” said Arundhati Kirkire, the MPCA Joint Secretary, to IANS on Thursday.

Beneficiaries above 75 years will receive an additional 7,500 rupees, with the players required to apply for the scheme. The scheme will be effective April 1, adding to similar pension programmes already in place for former women cricketers in Karnataka (who will offer Rs 15,000 pension to players above 55), Bengal, Gujarat, Baroda, and Vidarbha.

“The minimum slab is Rs 7000-10,000. If someone is getting nothing and then gets Rs 7000 per month through this initiative, then she will get some financial support, as compared to the times when there was no money in it, and they would still play purely for the passion of the game.”

“Everyone is very happy. Some people used to think that an initiative like this might never happen. But everybody is happy that this has happened very soon. They might not be expecting it so soon, but I’m glad that this decision was made very fast. We are also very happy to see the reception since this news came out. We are also very happy that this has been going on for a long time and that the dream has come true,” added Arundhati, who played a Test and 30 ODIs for India.

MPCA has also approved revised pensions for retired male cricketers and umpires not covered under the BCCI scheme. Former players will now receive Rs 7,000 rupees for up to four matches, Rs 10,000 rupees for 5-14 matches, and Rs 12,500 rupees for 15-24 matches.

Retired BCCI-level umpires from the state will be entitled to Rs 10,000 per month, while state-level umpires will get Rs 6,500. Those above 75 years will receive an additional Rs 7,500. Honorariums for match officials and selectors have also been increased.

Umpires in inter-divisional games will earn Rs 5,000 per match, while scorers will get 2,500 rupees per day, and selectors are set to get Rs 9,000. Incentives for coaches have also been revised. MPCA has also approved the extension of ex-India wicketkeeper-batter Chandrakant Pandit’s term as ‘Director of Cricket’ for the next two years, while okaying the construction of Pavilion blocks in Morena and Narmadapuram grounds.

MPCA financial scheme for ex-women cricketers

International Cricketers (Test & ODI only) – Rs 12,500

Played only under WCAI

8-15 matches – Rs 6,000

16-20 matches – Rs 7,500

21 or more matches – Rs 10,000

Played under WCAI + BCCI

15-20 matches – Rs 6,000

21-25 matches – Rs 7,500

25 or more matches – Rs 10,000

Played only under BCCI

20-25 matches – Rs 6,000

26-35 matches – Rs 7,500

35 or more matches – Rs 10,000

–IANS

nr/bsk/