Appeal for funds

The Parsee Cyclists Sports Club celebrates its centenary on October 9, 2009, truly a landmark in the history of Bombay and of Parsi cricket. It was the vision of the late Mancherji Kapadia to create an organization that would promote sport among promising Parsi youth. That dream turned into reality when he set up the Club in 1909.

Over the past 100 years the Club has provided training and opportunities to young sportsmen in cricket, hockey, football and volleyball. It has been the starting point of many an illustrious sporting career. As a result the community has produced four international cricketers, two of whom captained India. Eight Parsi cricketers represented various states in the Ranji Trophy and other first class tournaments. Some of the stalwarts who represented the Club are Polly Umrigar, Rusi Surti, Farokh Engineer, Mehli Irani, Behram Irani, Behram Govadia, Zubin Bharucha, Hosi Amroliwalla, as well as Salim Durani, Gulam Parkar, Naren Tamhane and Abbas Ali Baig.

Conducting tournaments at the all-Parsi level, the Club’s teams have participated in the Kanga League, Pur-shotum, Talim, Summer Vacation, Bom-bay Junior and Bombay State tournaments. The Club has held the Bapawa Zaveri, Robin Shroff and Sir Cusrow Wadia football tournaments for many years. In hockey, the Parsee Cyclist Challenge Cup and The Panchgani Old Boys League Cup have been conducted with teams from Karachi, Calcutta, Secun-derabad and Poona participating regularly. The late Soli Poonawalla, who represented India, Burma Shell and played for India in the 1960 Olympic Games was a regular member of the Club in hockey and football.

For the centenary celebrations the managing committee proposes to bring out a souvenir to raise much needed funds to resume training and most importantly to engage in the development of cricketing talent. We therefore seek your financial support. Cheques drawn in favor of "Parsee Cyclists Sports Club” may please be sent to the Honorary Secretary, Parsee Cyclists Sports Club, near Azad Maidan, Fort, Bombay 400001.

NARI CONTRACTOR

President, Parsee Cyclists Sports Club