Sports
Sporting culture
Cricketers from Navsari triumphed at the 11th FOZAWAC (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations for Welfare and Culture) All Parsees Six-a-Side tournament on February 4-5, 2006 at the Parsee Gymkhana in Bombay. At 62/1, Navsari comfortably defeated Umergaon (61/3) in the final. Parsee Cyclists (37/4) had lost to Navsari (78/2) earlier in the semifinal, while Umergaon (75/2) had vanquished Vasai (60/1).
Competitive at 65 years of age, Umergaon captain Marzban Wadia has the distinction of leading the team in all the 11 FOZAWAC tournaments held so far, states a summary of the event from FOZAWAC general secretary Rusi Bhumgara. Porus Sui, Boman Bhura and Adil Bilimoria of Navsari were adjudged man of the tour, best bowler and best fielder respectively while Ruzbeh Sutaria of Vasai was the best batsman.
The tournament was sponsored by Shahrukh Kathawalla. Marzban Dhanbhoora, president of Parsee Gym-khana, was the chief guest at the prize distribution. Guest of honor Sarosh Batliwalla, who donated the late Behram Irani Rotating Trophy, presented the award to Navsari captain Kaiwan Kasad.
Winners Navsari at Six-a-Side cricket (top);
Sarosh Batliwalla presenting trophy (above) to Kaiwan Kasad as Rusi Bhumgara applauds; Farzan Borzu (left) with Rapid Chess
Kathawalla had earlier sponsored the FOZAWAC 17th All Parsees Table Tennis tournament at the Sir Ness Wadia Club in Rustom Baug in January. Zubin Panthaky outplayed Kaizad Khandhadia in the men’s singles final. Zena Chipia and Arzan Varachhawala from Surat lifted the women’s and boys under 14 singles titles respectively, with Simone Patel and Jeaz Tamboly the runners-up in the events. The outstanding youngster prize was awarded to Mahzarin Pardiwalla. The Zoroastrian Youth Association of Thana ‘A’ won the team championship overcoming Captain Colony.
At FOZAWAC’s Third All Parsees Rapid Chess tournament last October at the Banaji Atash Behram hall, young Farzan Borzu from Dahanu won the juniors championship, while veteran Phiroze Kanga scored maximum points in the seniors. With 14 entries in the seniors and nine in juniors, youngsters from Valsad and Dahanu also took part, states Bhumgara.
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