Cricket in the colonies

The concept behind the cricket coaching program is: if the children can’t come to the grounds to play cricket, bring the grounds to the children! In February 2011, the Rustomjee Group proudly announced the providing of cricket infrastructure and the commencement of cricket training at two more locations in Bombay — at Malcolm Baug in Jogesh-wari and Godrej Baug at Napeansea Road. In October last year, a cricket pitch and nets had been inaugurated at Rustom Baug at Byculla.

Perturbed by the waning interest in cricket among the younger generation of a community which at one time boasted of several Parsi players in the Indian team, the Parsi Gymkhana and the Parsee Cyclists Sports Club conceived the idea of starting cricket feeder nets at the different baugs and colonies to infuse youngsters with a sense of cricketing culture. Finance was a hurdle to the implementation till Boman Irani, chairman and managing director and the driving force behind real estate developers Rustomjee, and director Percy Chow­dhry, stepped in as willing sponsors. "Cricket is an immensely popular sport in India and the world over, and is a favorite in the Parsi community. We are happy to be associated with the cause and to sponsor the game among the younger generation of the community,” Irani stated.

1st row (from left): Percy Chowdhry, Rustom Jasoomoney, Yasmin Contractor, Marzban Dhan-bhoora . 2nd row: Nari Contractor, Suzanne Chowdhry, Percy Chowdhry (behind), Mehli Irani and Dinshaw Mehta; the nets at Rustom Baug

Speaking at the inauguration of the nets at Rustom Baug on October 12, 2010, former India captain Nari Contractor, who is the president of the Parsee Cyclists Sports Club, said: "The long cherished dream of providing some facility to the young generation has come true, which we had been planning for the last seven years.” Chowdhry, who was the chief guest at the inauguration, declared: "We encourage sports in the Rustomjee schools and understand the importance of it in the overall development of children. It is a pleasure to share the dais with legends.” Former Bombay Ranji Trophy player Rusi Cooper was the guest of honor. Lending their support in person were Bombay Parsi Punchayet chairman Dinshaw Mehta, Parsee Gymkhana president Marzban Dhanbhoora, former Indian Test umpire Piloo Reporter, ex Ranji Trophy player Mehli Irani and several other sports personalities and enthusiasts.

Zubin Bharucha, who was also present at the function, is the program’s chief coach and officiates in an honorary capacity. Bharucha is the last Parsi to have been a part of the Ranji Trophy team and has also played for India ‘A.’ Deeply involved in coaching, Bharucha is a part of the World Cricket Academy which has players coming from abroad, to be trained under Indian conditions. Farhad Daruwalla and Amrish are the coaches at Rustom Baug, Pervez Hodiwala and V. Raje at Malcolm Baug and Percy Pestonjee and Rayomand Irani at Godrej Baug, seeking to put the drive every Saturday and Sunday into players from both sexes and different age groups.