Last week, I used to be at Chepauk for a pleasant night of cricket — Pakistan vs South Africa. The climate was heat however not blazing scorching and what was extra, the ocean breeze set in early and flowed usually via the stadium. That little bit of enchancment was achieved a decade or so in the past however I couldn’t assist reflecting that had it not been for one man’s drive and imaginative and prescient, this stadium itself would have by no means materialised. And that was M.A. Chidambaram.
The third son of Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar was an industrialist and philanthropist and as soon as Mayor of Madras, however sport was his ardour. He is greatest remembered for his contribution to horse racing and cricket. MAC, as he was recognized to pals, grew to become the president of the Madras Cricket Association at an important time. The 30-year lease of Chepauk, held by the Madras Cricket Club, was coming to an finish in 1966 and it was as much as him to make it possible for the federal government made the MCA and not the MCC the lessee in future. This was logical, for the MCA represented the cricketing pursuits of golf equipment proper throughout what was then Madras State, whereas the MCC was a non-public physique with a restricted membership. It was MAC’s affect, along with the powerful negotiating abilities of A.M.M. Arunachalam, then president of the MCC, that ensured issues got here to a passable conclusion. The MCA was given the lease of the grounds and permission to construct a stadium, whereas the MCC additionally remained, occupying two acres of the leased land, with proper to make use of the bottom and additionally view the matches, when performed, from its clubhouse.
Chepauk traditionally had no everlasting construction, for short-term stands of casuarina, planks and rope could be put up every time there was a match. This labored properly within the previous days, however by the late Sixties, the demand for a stadium had gained floor. For nearly a decade, Chepauk was deserted for tournaments, motion shifting to the Corporation Stadium. It was left to Chidambaram to deliver it again.
A mammoth sum
However, the development of the stadium was simpler mentioned than achieved. Budgets on the finish of the Sixties got here to ₹1.75 crore, a mammoth sum for a time when cricket associations had hardly any cash. The MCA by then had modified its identify to TNCA, in line with the State’s identify change. But MAC continued nonetheless as president. The basis for the brand new construction was laid in 1971 by the then Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, and the federal government gave a donation of ₹15 lakh. MAC gave an identical private donation. He additionally managed to get the Madras Race Club to donate ₹5.00 lakh. But the stability was a staggering ₹1.40 crore that may by no means have been bridged had not MAC determined to method the banks for a mortgage. As safety, he gave his private assure. With that work started and concluded in phases in 1981 or so.
The TNCA, in recognition of MAC’s companies, was eager to call the stadium after him. But he would have none of it. He held out for 5 years and then, in 1986, whereas he was overseas, the TNCA held a gathering and selected christening the construction because the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. He gave in with good grace but in addition ensured gates have been named after sports activities veterans A.G. Ram Singh and M.J. Gopalan, and additionally his trusted lieutenant and cricket administrator M. Sriraman. And so M.A. Chidambaram Stadium it stays, recognising the person who made it actuality.
(V. Sriram is a author and historian.)
