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The Maharashtra Wheelchair Cricket Association (MWCA) approached the Rotary Club of Pune Central (RCPC) in 2023 for assistance to acquire Sports Wheelchairs for their team, since they were not in a position to do so themselves. Heeding to their request, 12 Members of the Rotary Club of Pune Central contributed the necessary funds required to provide them with 12 Sports Wheelchairs in November 2023.

The Maharashtra Team has been practicing at their ground in Wanowrie, using these wheelchairs. During the month of January 2023, they visited Mumbai, and played a match against the Mumbai Wheelchair Cricket Team. They played valiantly but ended up losing the match by a narrow margin.

MWCA approached RCPC to sponsor the return match against the Mumbai team. This time too, RCPC agreed to do so, and with the kind courtesy of The Poona Club Ltd. got permission to use their Cricket Ground. The Poona Club Limited agreed to have the Match at their ground, without charging any ground hiring charges and further offered to sponsor the lunch for all the players. They also made the pavilion wheelchair accessible.

RCPC on their part provided the Maharashtra Team the Kit for the match, including Jerseys, Bats, Pads, Gloves etc. and other facilities required for the Match.

The Match, was played in the T20 Format at the Poona Club Cricket Ground and commenced at 10.00 am on Sunday 10th March 2024. Mr. Sunil Handa, President of Poona Club and Mr. Munir Chinoy, Past President of Poona Club, and RCPC were present at the Inauguration of the match. Also present were Rtn PP Dr. Nasir and R’Ann Noorjahan Kazi, Rtn Oni and R’Ann Nafisa Kakajiwala, Rtn Shirsh Nadkar, Rtn Arun Shroff, Rtn PP Ajay Dubey, Rtn PN Lekha Nair, and R’Ann Dipti Chitnis, and a number of Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Poona Downtown.

Commodore Ajay Chitnis, President of Rotary Club of Pune Central and Mr. Omkar Roundale, Captain of the Maharashtra Wheelchair Cricket Team, welcomed all the guests and members at this unique event, which was taking place for the first time in the City of Pune.

Vishwanath Gurav, Captain of the Mumbai team won the Toss, and elected to Field first. The Maharashtra Team, batting first got off to a reasonable start, and were going along smoothly, powered mainly by Ravindra Baravkar, who scored 74 runs off 54 Balls. Vishwanath Gurav and Dinesh Metupalli, scalped tree wickets each and eventually restricted the Maharashtra Team to 127for 9, off 20 overs. In reply, the Mumbai Team lost three early wickets, raising the hopes of the Maharashtra Team. The hopes were short-lived since Santosh Ranjgane, 45 off 19 balls and Dinesh Mettupalli, 32 off 26 Balls, ensured that their team romped home for a comprehensive victory. Mumbai Team scored 128 for 4off just 12 overs and stamped their class over the home team. It was evident that Mumbai was a well-knit unit with a lot of experience, with two of their players in the current India Wheelchair Team, and their Captain, a former India player. It was a great exposure for the young and newly formed Maharashtra Team, and this will stand them in good stead as they strive to make a mark at the National Level.

Commodore Ajay Chitnis, President, Rotary Club of Pune Central congratulated both the Teams for their heart-warming performance, and spirit of sportsmanship, while giving away the prizes. Ravindra Baravkar, Maharashtra, was adjudged the Best Batsman, Vishwanath Gurav, Best Bowler, and Dinesh Metupalli, Man of the Match. The Mumbai Team took away the Glittering Winners Trophy and the Home team had to be satisfied with the Runners up trophy. All players were given gold and silver medals, respectively. The event was widely reported in English and Marathi Newspapers.

Every year, the Rotary Club of Pune Central (RCPC), in collaboration with The Community Eye Care Centre, organizes Eye Check-up Camps to promote eye health and early vision care among students and teachers.

Annually, 10 to 15 camps are conducted across various schools and organizations in and around Pune. This initiative is led by our club members, Rtn. Oni Kakajiwala and R’Ann Nafisa Kakajiwala, together with a dedicated team of young ophthalmologists from Gogate Eye Clinic.

To date, more than 15,000 children and adults have benefited from these eye check-ups. Spectacles have been provided free of cost to all those requiring vision correction, helping improve eyesight, learning outcomes, and overall quality of life.

This initiative reflects RCPC’s strong commitment to enhancing access to eye care and creating a meaningful impact in the lives of the underprivileged through preventive healthcare and timely intervention.