The occasion, aptly called as an evening dedicated to 'Aapla Sachin', saw the presence of both the Indian and the West Indian teams, besides top politicians of Maharashtra, including chief minister Prithiviraj Chavan.
While former cricketer-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri was the emcee, it was a bit disconcerting to see the politicians at the centrestage -- Mumbai mayor Sunil Prabhu, Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Chavan too were honoured by the MCA.
Besides, it was sad to note that a host of former Mumbai and India cricketers present at the event, including batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and his maternal uncle Madhav Mantri, India's oldest living cricketer, were not even invited on the stage during the function.
Nevertheless, Tendulkar was floored by the gesture. "It felt special to read my name on the entry of the club. It feels good as I am not used to it. I didn't expect this. It was a humble experience. I thank MCA for this kind gesture," said Tendulkar amidst thunderous applause and deafening cheers, as he began his first public speech since announcing his retirement.
He then went on to thank the MCA for having supported him throughout his career. "I have been associated with the MCA for 29 years now. I want to thank them for making the nets available for me at any time I wanted. I just needed to make a phone call to get it. I had the right pitches, the right wickets to prepare myself. To play for India has been truly memorable, I think every step was different and every tour required different preparations," he said.
Tendulkar then summed up his feelings in a beautiful way. "I appreciate not just this evening but the last 24 years," he said.
Tendulkar then lauded MCA president Sharad Pawar for announcing earlier in the short, slick function that the facilities in the club would be available to anybody free of cost.
"I think this facility is a great platform for the next generation to make use of. To continue to build a sporting culture in our nation is very important. That can happen with right guidance, coaching and right facilities. All this should be there for the coming generation," he felt.
The club boasts of a ground capable of hosting a first-class fixture, indoor nets, a swimming pool, gymnasium besides top-class dining and banquet halls.
The tone of the evening was set by the hordes of fans, who were standing outside the club gates with emotional banners that conveyed how much they would miss a man they had worshipped for a quarter of a century.
Pawar earlier echoed the view of every cricket fan in the country by saying that "We will miss the 'Saaachin, Saaachin' chant at the stadium. We thank him for giving so many pleasurable moments to the entire country for the last 24 years."
"Sachin is one of the greatest Indians, a great sportsperson and a great hero. He has given India years and years of sporting pleasure. He is admired not only here but all over the world. We all rejoice his success. I am sure Test cricket will miss him," gushed Chavan.
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