Socializing with soccer

For the 12th Zoroastrian Games from July 1-5, 2010 at the California State University, Long Beach, registration commences in February, notes the website www.zathletics.com

A sports event that is still fresh in the North American memory is the Sixth Zoroastrian Unity Cup Soccer Tournament held at Aviation Park, Redondo Beach, California. On the Labor Day weekend from September 5-7, 2009, over 300 spectators and 100 Zarathushti athletes ranging in age from six to 60 participated. "The scene was very family oriented as children and grown-ups alike stayed amused as an audience and played hard as a team. The overall feeling was less of competition and more of camaraderie as a sense of community was achieved,” noted a report by Tehran Ghasri, public relations director for the Zoroastrian Sports Committee (ZSC) in the FEZANA Journal (winter 2009).

Aviation Park was considered an ideal venue for it had the space and atmosphere to conduct two games simultaneously on the field. The ZSC committee led by president Niaz Kasravi "provided everything from direction to protection from the sun on and off the field.” The volunteers did it all "from help run the games to help others survive the games.” In the interest of maintaining cordiality through­­out the tournament the competitors had to sign a consent form stipulating, "Physical aggression or foul language will not be tolerated at any time during the event…Please use your good thoughts, good words and good deeds at all times so everyone can enjoy their time together.”

At the Sixth Zoroastrian Unity Cup Soccer Tournament: adult champions, team Azadi (top) and (below) the Black and White Affair at the Manhattan Beach Marriot Grand Ballroom

This year’s champions in the three different divisions were team Azadi led by Hooshang Jamshidi in the adult category, LA Alliance led by Bahrom Ostad in the 10-14 age group and ZK United, captained by Neekta Mehrkhodavandi in the six-nine age group. Shahin Jamshid was conferred the MVP Award and Kaveh Hemati the Sportsmanship trophy.

"No successful event is successful without an after party. The Black and White Affair at the Manhattan Beach Marriot Grand Ballroom provided the right amount of food, music, good time and relaxation after a hard day on the field,” wrote Ghasri adding, "With nearly 280 exquisitely dressed guests and the sounds of DJ AL, the Black and White Affair was a perfect mixer to reunite old friends and introduce many new ones.” Rewarding for the organizers were the "thank you e-mails… genuine smiles… (and) the response received for the next soccer event two years away.”