Secunderabad sport

He’s an HR (Human Resources) man at work and in sport. An MBA (Masters in Business Administration) who works with investment management firm D. E. Shaw in the HR team, 27-year-old Jamsheed Hormusjee won the All Round Men’s Championship Trophy for the third year running at the Annual Indoor Games organized by the Zoroastrian Club, Secunderabad. He aced in six events — singles, men’s and mixed doubles in badminton; table tennis mixed doubles and carrom doubles. In the table tennis and carrom singles, he was the runner up.

Montessori teacher Teenaz Gandevia (née Reporter), who returned to India last year after eight years abroad, won the All Round Women’s Championship Trophy. A regular at the Zoroastrian Club, Gandevia enjoys playing badminton, table tennis, carrom and basketball and took part in several events at the tournament held from June 1-10, 2009. "It felt great, as this was the first time the women were awarded a Trophy!” she says.

Hormusjee has won the Championship four times, including three years in succession. The management man is also currently the captain of the Zoroastrian Club cricket team in all the local tournaments and the Jiji Irani Cricket Championship. "I enjoy the captaincy,” says the all-rounder. "Out here it is not a big problem attracting boys to cricket. The problem is that most of the youngsters go to college or are working, so it is kind of difficult making the time for practice. We get a good attendance on weekends, thinner on weekdays,” he elaborates. Minoo Siganporia coaches the team in cricket; Noshir Mehta drops in some days, he adds. Hormusjee has represented his school and college at inter school and inter college tournaments in cricket and table tennis, says Zoroastrian Club member Jehangir Bisney.

Jamsheed Hormusjee receiving trophy from Dastur (Dr) Pesho­tan Mirza; (inset) ladies champion Teenaz Gandevia

The Annual Indoor Games is a tournament for the Parsis of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. It originated in the early ’70s and the sports covered are badminton, table tennis, carrom, draughts, chess, billiards and snooker, states Bisney. There are two categories — under 16 and Open, with cash prizes being awarded to the winners and runners-up. "The competition was pretty decent with more youngsters participating. We are improving each year,” remarks Hormusjee. "This time the tournament was organized differently. We managed to get a number of women to participate and that was good. Lots were drawn for selection of partners. You paired with whom you were given. I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, it gives you an opportunity to mingle. I got to know people I didn’t know earlier. I liked that. On the other hand, you could not plan your game to your best strengths and weaknesses. I guess if you can choose your partner, perhaps the same people would go on winning,” assesses Gandevia who was a Montessori teacher in the US and who is currently undergoing further training at the Montessori Training Centre in Hyderabad. Husband Noshir is supportive and has participated and won at Club events, she says.

In a magnanimous gesture, winners donated their prize money to the Zoroastrian Stree Mandal, Secunderabad on the occasion of its golden jubilee.