A decision to this effect was taken and players can now contribute through a bank account especially created for the purpose, a press release issued by the Maharashtra Olympic Association on Saturday said.

MP Suresh Kalmadi, also chairman of the CYG organising committee, had been receiving requests from former Olympians, Arjuna awardees, Shiv Chhatrapati, Dhanchand and Padmashree recipients to include their contribution in installing the statue. These players and various sports associations in the state had conducted a meeting in this regard and submitted their request to Kalmadi and so a committee, under the chairmanship of the MP was formed.

A special account for collection of this contribution has been opened with the Bank of Maharashtra and willing players can deposit their contribution in Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Statue Committee, Sports city, Pune, account no 60008771966 at any BOM branch across the country.

Sporting greats from the state, including Harishchandra Birajdar, Padmashree Gopalrao Phadke, shooter Anjali Vedpathak, former Olympian Kamlesh Mehta, Dhyanchand awardee Smita shirole-Yadav, Shiv Chhatrapati awardee Manisha Ghate, Gurbans Kaur, Nita Talavlikar among others will be contributing for the cause, added the communiqué.

The stadium was constructed in 1994 and named after Shivaji, however, the stadium never had any indicative structure after his name. In view of the same, it was decided to install a statue of Shivaji at the backdrop of the Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) to be conducted at the stadium in October.