Jemimah Rodrigues’ Membership With Khar Gymkhana Terminated Following Her Father’s Misuse of Privileges For Religious Activities: Report

Sports personalities receive prominent discounts and membership in top sports facilities nearby and even of their choices. Indian cricket star Jemimah Rodrigues was a member of one such prestigious facility – Khar Gymkhana, one of Mumbai’s oldest and richest cricket clubs. But her honorary three-year membership was cancelled abruptly following her father, Ivan Rodrigues, was accused of using the facilities and privileges for conducting unauthorised religious activities. Indian Express first reported the decision taken by Khar Gymkhana. The cancellation came after several club members raised objections in a general body meeting over Ivan Rodrigues’ actions. Jemimah Rodrigues Opens Up After India’s 58-Run Defeat to New Zealand in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Campaign Opener, Says ‘Today Would Be the Game We Would Like To Forget’.

Jemimah Rodrigues made her name in the Cricket world with her all-around performances for her teams and she represented the India Women’s National Cricket Team also. She received the honorary membership in 2023, making her the first Indian female cricketer of the Khar Gymkhana. But after questions were raised regarding the ‘use’ of Jemimah’s privileges by her father, the star cricketer’s membership was cancelled with immediate effect. Khar Gymkhana president Vivek Devnani said, “The honorary three-year membership given to Ms. Jemimah Rodrigues was revoked pursuant to a resolution passed by the members who attended the general meeting,”.

Allegations against Jemimah Rodrigues’ Father that Led to Revoking Membership of Khar Gymkhana

While getting honorary membership is certainly a proud moment for any sportsperson, revoking it damages the player’s status. In the case of Jemimah Rodrigues, the controversy centres on serious allegations made against her father Ivan Rodrigues. As per the report, he was involved in unauthorized religious activities and according to the Gymkhana officials, Ivan Rodrigues had used the club’s presidential hall to host 35 events over the past year and a half.

Shiv Malhotra, a member of Khar Gymkhana’s managing committee said, “We came to know that Jemimah Rodrigues’ father was attached to an organisation called Brother Manuel Ministries. They booked the presidential hall for almost a year and a half and held 35 events. We all know what was happening there. We hear about conversions all over the country, but it’s happening right under our nose. There was dancing, expensive music equipment, big screens. As per Khar Gymkhana’s bye-laws, Rule 4A of the constitution, the Gymkhana does not permit any religious activity.” Jemimah Rodrigues Gives Inspirational Speech to India Women's Team Cricketers Ahead of IND-W vs SL-W ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Clash (Watch Video).

While it was not only the Members who raised concerns over such activities few eyewitnesses also shed light on the matter—former Khar Gymkhana president Nitin Gadekar, who witnessed such activities going on said. “I was informed about the ‘religious activity’ by a staff member. Me, Malhotra and a few other members went to see it. We saw the room dark, trance music was playing, and a lady said, ‘He is coming to save us’. I was surprised how Gymkhana could allow this in the first place. We protested and it was decided to cancel her membership.”

Jemimah Rodrigues and her father were not available for comments on the decision while Club president Vivek Devnani denied the allegations and accused rivals of indulging in politics ahead of the club’s upcoming elections.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 22, 2024 11:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).