At the age of 37, Ajinkya Naik has made history by becoming the youngest president of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). He achieved this milestone by winning a decisive election against Sanjay Naik, a candidate affiliated with Ashish Shelar's faction, by a margin of 107 votes.
Previously, Ajinkya held the position of secretary within the association, serving under Amole Kale, who passed away last month, prompting the need for a presidential election. In the overall vote count, Ajinkya garnered 221 votes while Sanjay received 114.
Post-election, Ajinkya expressed his gratitude, stating, “This victory belongs to the Mumbai maidan and its club secretaries, as I am just one of them. Having participated in various committees for over a decade, I view my journey as a progression towards this moment. The outcome aligned with my expectations.”
One of Ajinkya's key objectives will be to engage corporate sectors to generate more employment opportunities for cricketers, addressing the pressing need for jobs in the sport.
Despite running without official political endorsements, Ajinkya acknowledged the role of 'unseen powers' that supported his rise to the presidency. "There were many behind-the-scenes influences, and in time, it will become clear who they were. Our mentor is Sharad Pawar, and we have been inspired by him for a long time," he shared.
A former cricketer at the school and club levels, Ajinkya served as a member of the MCA Apex Council in 2019 before being elected as the secretary in 2022.