What’s in a name?

Recently when watching on television the Paralympics in UK, cricket international in UAE and Open tennis in USA, I was reminded of Zoroastrians. The Australian women’s swimmer Jacqueline Freney won eight gold medals in the London Paralympics. In a recent cricket international for Pakistan against Australia, Nasir Jamshed scored 97 runs and was adjudged Man of the Match as his country won.

In the US tennis final and semi-final, two names interested me; the women’s finalist Victoria Azarenka, was ranked world’s number one; not to forget 10th seeded Sara Errani who lost in the semi-final. Both lost to Serena Williams. Ah, why was she not named Shireen? The tournament USTA (US Tennis Association) seems an abbreviation of Ushta té, the Zoroastrian message which means "May happiness be to you.”

Imagine a Freney Jamshed Errani from AZA (Australian Zoroastrian Association)! Readers, can you think of any more such Zoro name coincidences? Hopefully we will have real Zoro famous sportspeople this decade. Ushta té!

KERSI MEHER-HOMJI

Sydney, Australia

kersi5@bigpond.com