INDIA. Mumbai: A towering 22-foot statue of the cricket legend and Bharat Ratna awardee, Sachin Tendulkar, was unveiled near his dedicated stand at Wankhede Stadium in South Mumbai.
The momentous event was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including former ICC president and NCP President Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday.
The remarkable statue, meticulously crafted by the talented painter-sculptor Pramod Kamble from Ahmednagar, commemorates Sachin’s iconic lofted shot off Shane Warne at the Wankhede Stadium.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra Sports Minister Sanjay Bansode, BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, treasurer Ashish Shelar, as well as officials from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
Notable figures such as MCA President Amol Kale, Secretary Ajinkya Naik, Joint Secretary Deepak Patil, Treasurer Arman Malik, other members of the apex council, and a multitude of Sachin’s ardent fans graced the event. Alongside Sachin, his wife Anjali and daughter Sara were also in attendance.
Chief Minister Shinde, in his address, lauded Sachin as the epitome of success through perseverance.
He emphasized that Sachin’s masterstroke had been an inspiration to all. Shinde dubbed the occasion a “master blaster” moment, signifying the presence of two Sachins – the one present at the event and the other forever immortalized through his statue.
Sharad Pawar, reflecting on Sachin’s grounded nature despite his incredible achievements, mentioned that only a select few receive the honor of having their statues unveiled in their lifetime.
He proposed the establishment of a museum by the MCA to showcase Sachin’s illustrious career achievements.
Jay Shah, recalling Sachin’s dedication to national cricket, praised his remarkable records and how they aligned with the Indian team’s triumphs.
Sachin, in a touching gesture, dedicated the statue to his fellow cricketers and reminisced about his cherished memories associated with Wankhede Stadium. He humbly accepted the honor, affirming, “I always played cricket for the nation.”
The sculptor, Pramod Kamble, was also felicitated during the occasion. MCA President Amol Kale extended a warm welcome to the esteemed guests, and BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla also addressed the gathering.
Originally scheduled for unveiling on Sachin’s 50th birthday on April 24, the statue’s debut was postponed to allow for finishing touches. Subsequently, it was decided to unveil the statue on Thursday, November 2, ahead of the India-Sri Lanka match at Wankhede. Given the anticipated large crowd, the statue was unveiled a day earlier.
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