Rewarding racers and referees

"While we promote sports, we must not sacrifice discipline, because it is this discipline that will get us ahead,” reminded Mithoo Jesia, president of the managing and organizing committees of the Jal D. Pardivala All Parsees Annual Athletic Meet. At the 30th meet held at the University Stadium in Bombay on February 13 and 14, 2010 she reiterated the need for "entries to be received on time to bring you a thoroughly organized sports meet.” Altogether the organizers received entries from 623 participants representing 33 institutions in Bombay, Surat, Navsari, Dahanu and Vangaon for the nearly 100 events in 16 different age groups.

During the time when Homi Kapadia was a trustee, the annual sports meet would receive entries from as far as Calcutta and Jamshedpur, recalled Jesia, daughter of the legendary sports organizer after whom the meet is named. Unfortunately, none of those states participate today. Also, with the organizers getting on in age, she urged "young Zoroastrians to be a part of the planning and organizing committee… We receive great support from the youth of Nowroz Baug.”

The organizing committee included The Nowroze Baug Play Centre, The Zoroastrian Physical Culture and Health League, Cusrow Baug United Sports and Welfare League, Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorial Trust (MEJMT) and the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations for Welfare and Culture (FOZAWAC).

Clockwise from top: BPP champions; Zarir Shroff with Shirzad Bhathena; Noshir Dadrawala, Mithoo Jesia and Rohinton Irani (Photo: Sarosh Daruwalla, Mazda Audio Video Labs); Jazeel Limzerwalla and Binaisha Billimoria; Dr Rohinton Mehta

Chief guest Noshir Dadrawala, trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), made a reference to the newly launched Zoroastrian Trust Funds of India (ZTFI) that among its many objects assures support to any Zoroastrian sportsperson who has the capacity to excel. The first person to whom they have pledged assistance is throwballer Denaaz Billimoria. The guest of honor was ace volleyball player Zarir Shroff.

Trophies, certificates and medals were given to winners and runners-up in each of the 16 categories, starting with those under six years of age to those over 45 years. The Jal D. Pardivala Trophy for the Best Athlete of the Year went to Dr Rohinton Mehta of MEJMT. Five times national and two times Asian and Oceania champion, 49-year-old Mehta had won a gold for India at the World Masters Games at Sydney, Australia, coming first in the 400 m hurdles in the men 45+ age group. Fareez Vasania who had won a silver medal in the triple jump event at the same meet in the same age group was also conferred a special prize at the 30th All Parsees Annual Athletic Meet.

For lifetime contribution in the field of Parsi sports, the Late Air Marshal Minoo Merwan Engineer Trophy was awarded to Rohinton N. Irani, a remarkable athletic meet organizer who has been conducting the Dadar Parsi Colony Floodlit Annual Athletic Meets since 2000. During his employment with Tatas from 1954 until his retirement in 1993 Irani was actively involved with the Tata Sports Club and served on its managing committee for 28 years, including a 12-year-stint as the joint honorary secretary. Member of the athletic sub-committee for 25 years at different times he had officiated as the joint secretary and the chairman. After his retirement he was appointed as the managing administrator of the Tata Sports Club to oversee the Club’s sports activities and handle routine office work till the year 2002.

Dedicating his accomplishments to his late wife Roshan, 76-year-old Irani acknowledged, "Whatever I am today is because of her. She always encouraged me to participate. In fact, she was the one to fill in my form for the nomination today.” Keen to see Parsi youth "reach the international level,” Irani observed, "We have a legacy and let’s keep that going.”

Yet another special award was given to 31-year-old Shirzad Bhathena of Nowroz Baug for being the only Parsi currently officiating as football referee at the district, state and national level. He is also the first Parsi to officiate as assistant referee at the prestigious ONGC-I League Football Championship held by AIFF (All India Football Federation). Hoping to officiate in the World Cup final round some day, Bhathena regrets that "not many Parsis have represented the country in this game as compared to other sports.”

The organizing committee of the Jal D. Pardivala All Parsees Annual Athletic Meet with honoraed guests

Fond of soccer since his childhood, Bhathena is also interested in other outdoor games like volleyball, cricket and hockey. He is employed with Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited as deputy manager ­— design, and "through proper time management and utilizing most of my leave for refereeing,” he is able to cope with both the commitments. "Whatever you do in life, do it with full dedication and try and achieve the best in it,” he recommends.

The Late Rohinton P. Chinoy Challenge Shield for Women and Men was jointly shared by BPP teammates Binaisha Billimoria who won the women’s championship and Jazeel Limzerwalla who won the men’s championship and was also declared the best athlete of the meet. Karen Mistry of Faster Speed Intelligence (FSI) was declared the fastest woman of the meet and Kaiwan Karanjia of Surat Parsi Zoroastrian Club was declared the fastest boy under-18 and man of the meet.

The individual championships in the different age groups among females were dominated by BPP team members: under-16 — Zenrookh Davar; under-14 — Piroza Master; under-12 — Zarastyn Mistry; under-10 — Natasha General; under-8 — Parinaz Chichgar who shared the honor with MEJMT’s Zyra Nargolwala and Anaina Langrana. The under-6 championship went to MEJMT’s Biaanca Batliwalla.

Among males, the veteran championship was won by Ruzbeh Sutaria of Nowroz Baug; under-18 — Rayomand Birdy of Sir C. J. Colony Recreation Centre; under-16 — Aatush Kalyaniwala of BPP; under-14 — Shezan Fouzdar of Salsette Parsi Colony; under-12 — Hormazd Master of BPP; under-10 — Bezan Billimoria of BPP; under-8 — Faraz Debara of Andheri Athletic Foundation; and under-6 — Karl Mistry of FSI. BPP athletes, trained by coach Dara Doomasia, walked off with the team championships for both men and women.

On behalf of the organizers joint secretary Sutaria proposed a vote of thanks to the main sponsors ZTFI, Hilla Builders, Zarine and Yazdi Daruvala Charitable Trust, Union Press, Peekay Wines, WIBS Bakery, Tanaz Godiwalla, Cama Convalescent Home, Panday Dharam­sha­la, as also all officials and volunteers, the management and staff of University Stadium.

Assisting Jesia in her endeavors were the two joint honorary secretaries Rusi Bhumgara and Sutaria, Maharukh Sutaria, Mahiyar Dastoor, Daraius Zaiwala, Cyrus Siganporia, Mani Vajifdar, Kersi Mistry, Homiyar Mistry, Homi Kapadia, Farokh Engineer among other announcers, recorders and enthusiastic volunteers.

Seeking more entries from outstation areas like Poona, Navsari and Surat, the organizers urged parents to encourage their children to participate and to be there to cheer for them.

With inputs from Khushman Irani Bhathena and Baji S. Bharucha.