Delhi Minorities Commission announces Award for Adil Nargolwala
Congratulations Adil – we are all proud of you and your achievements!
Delhi Minorities Commission announces Awards in various fields
Category Archives: Sports
Parsi Bikers Unite to Ride for Road Safety on Sunday Morning
For the Parsi community in the city, Sunday was Bawas’ morning out on bikes. Hundreds of Parsis, both young and those young-at-heart rode their way on their motorcycles from Parsi Gymkhana (Marine Drive) to Worli Sea Face, Bandra and back to Parsi Gymkhana (Marine Drive) that was organised by ZYNG 2.0 (Zoroastrian Youth for Next Generation) not just to showcase their love affair with bikes, but also to bring the community together.
On the morning of Sunday 23rd February 2020, Zoroastrian Owners of Super Bikes and Vintage Bikes ride together in memory of those we have lost too soon and for the road safety cause. Under the supervision of ZYNG 2.0 volunteers (marshals), all bikers and pillion riders with helmets and necessary protective gear, followed the guidelines of safe riding.
The participants flashed their Supersport, Adventure, Cruiser, Vintage, Cafe Racer, Sidercar, Classic, Tourer and Offroader bikes including the Aprilia, Yamaha, KTM, Honda, Suzuki, Ducati, Triumph, Kawasaki, BMW, Royal Enfield, Bajaj, BSA, Norton, TVS, Jawa and Harley Davidsons of the world. Members of Parsi biker groups like Bawasaki and Vintage Zoroastrian Bikers of Mumbai turned up in large numbers. What added to the attraction were the beautiful women as pillion riders on some of the bikes and the women bikers themselves.
United Way Mumbai, premier non-profit organization with a mission to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good, supported this Zoroastrian Bike Ride and collaborated with ZYNG 2.0 for this noble cause.
Post the bike ride, all were delighted with some sumptuous breakfast at Parsi Gymkhana.
About ZYNG2.0:
ZYNG 2.0 is a whole new beginning with new ideas and a new committee to continually provide a platform for bringing the Zoroastrian youth closer.
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Attached some good Images of the event.
Links to more images – https://we.tl/t-k5ogXX6uw5 and https://drive.google.com/
Photo Courtesy – @revminister and @unitedwaymumbai
Farokh Engineer – A rare phenomenon
TODAY, 25 February, is the 82nd birthday of Farokh Engineer.
One of the great keepers and also a magnificently attacking batsman.
As Engineer once said “Some people tell me, you used to play T20 40 years before its invention!”
Farokh was a dasher. The first Indian cricketer to endorse a product and the last Parsi to have played for India.
Happy Birthday!!
It was a rare phenomenon to be able to find such a player who’d fit in to play as an excellent wicket-keeper as well as a fantastic batsman during the 1960s. That’s when Farokh Engineer came into the Indian Cricket’s family tree. Discover more about one of the hard-hitting batsmen who also guarded the team with excellency by positioning himself behind the stumps only on Mid Wicket Tales with Naseeruddin Shah.
ZYNG 2.0
zyng2.0
Shout out to all owners of Super & Vintage Bikes to be a part of this Zoroastrian Bike Rally on Sunday, 23rd February in memory of those we have lost too soon and uniting for the road safety cause.
Bike Ride Route: Parsi Gymkhana – Worli Sea Face – Bandra – Parsi Gymkhana
To ride and support this cause, feel free to call 9833735306/9820120626
Keep Calm and Helmet On!
#zyng2.0 #ZoroastrianYouthForNextGeneration #zoroastrian #parsi #bawabikers #parsiyouth #uniteforsafety #roadsafety #united #fun
17th Z-Games Update! Registration for Social Events is postponed now!
| 17th Z GAMES Postponed To Summer 2021 Metro Washington, DC  In these unprecedented times, public health and safety require the postponement and rescheduling of the 17th Z GAMES to Summer 2021. The ZAMWI Board of Trustees and the Z Games Advisory Committee will continue to plan for and host the 17th Z Games, and look forward to working with the Zoroastrian Sports Committee, FEZANA member associations, and all volunteers to host an exceptional games when the pandemic has ended and the economic uncertainty has subsided. ZAMWI would like to thank the FEZANA Executive Committee, the Zoroastrian Sports Committee, the volunteers from different associations serving as Z Games Ambassadors, and all the ZAMWI volunteers who have been working tirelessly in preparation for the Games. Please reach out to chairzgame2020@gmail.com if you would like to become an ambassador for your community or volunteer for the Games. . Please stay safe, stay at home, and practice the advice of experts to prevent and slow the spread of the virus. A quote from a physician in Chicago says it all: “Without taking drastic measures, the healthy and optimistic amoung us will doom the vulnerable.” Postponing the Z Games is the right thing to do. All registrations completed to date for the originally scheduled Z Games will be refunded. Sent on behalf of : FEZANA Executive Committee Zoroastrian Sports Committee ZAMWI Board of Trustees 2020 Z Games Advisory Committee |
Zoroastrian Games – 2020
The Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Washington, DC, Inc. (ZAMWI) is excited to welcome athletes, spectators, volunteers, friends and family from across the globe to the 2020 Z Games, July 1 – 5!
The Z Games Advisory Committee, chaired by Farshid Behmardi, has been working hard to prepare for this great event. This email provides important updates, deadlines, and ways you can get involved.
The early-bird registration is now open! To save money, we highly encourage you to take advantage of this early-bird opportunity. You can start your registration by visiting our website https://www.zgames2020.com/
Stay informed about 2020 Z Games updates and deadlines by following our Instagram @2020zgames. In our Instagram account, you will also learn more about our volunteers, event developments, and you can reach out with suggestions and questions.
Hosting a well-organized and unifying event can only be possible with the help of volunteers. ZAMWI volunteers are partnering with volunteers from ZAPANJ to support the Games throughout the 4 days. If you are interested in volunteering, please click the link to complete the volunteer from https://www.zgames2020.com/
The Z-game promises to be filled with intense competition, camaraderie, and lots of fun. Our mission is possible with your donations. For donations, please visit our website’s donation page, https://www.zgames2020.
If you are a business owner, this is the perfect opportunity to promote your business by becoming a sponsor. Our fundraising group has worked hard and put together several great sponsorship packages from which you can select what works for you. For more information
please visit https://www.zgames2020.
We are super excited for 2020 Z Games and hope that you join us!
Best,
2020 Z Games Advisory Committee
The incredible adventures of Parsi Cyclists around the world
How it began
The first group to set off on their bicycles was made up of six members of the Bombay Weightlifting Club. They were Adi Hakim, Jal Bapasola, Rustom Bhumgara, Gustad Hathiram, Keki Pochkhanawala and Nariman Kapadia.
According to Rohinton Bhumgara, son of Rustom Bhumgara, the six youngsters had attended a public lecture in 1920 by a Frenchman who had walked from Europe to India. Hearing him talk left them deeply inspired.
Their journey began in October 1923 and meandered through Punjab, Balochistan, the Middle East, Europe, United States, Japan and South East Asia.
On the way, one team member returned to India from Tehran for “personal reasons”, while two others were so “enamoured” of America that they stayed back.
“Once, he [Jal Bapasola] narrated how they approached the Raleigh Cycle Co of England in Bombay about [the company] sponsoring the cycles,” Babani was told by Bapasola’s 82-year-old son Noshir Bapasola, who lives in New Jersey.
“The company refused. But when they reached England, he said the company was begging them to use their cycles. He asked them why they had a change of heart and was told quite bluntly ‘we did not believe that you boys would be so successful’.”
By the time Hakim, Bapasola and Bhumgara reached India in March 1928, they had covered around 70,000 kilometres.
In their book With Cyclists Around The World, they enumerated their achievements with “pardonable pride”: in four and a half years, they had scaled the Alps, crossed “pirate-infested territories” and waded through jungles with “hostile semi-savage tribes”, sometimes “escaping death by inches”.
Click Here for the full story in Dawn with pictures
Parsee Gymkhana Cricket Team arrive in UK Sun 18th Aug 2019 to play for 1886 Trophy
Dear ZTFE Members & Well-wishers
On Sunday 18th August the Parsee Gymkhana Cricket Team will be arriving to the UK. They will be playing a series of T20 cricket matches with local sides, culminating with a match at The Oval Cricket Ground on Friday 23rd August 2019 for the 1886 Trophy, photo pasted below. All the matches are FREE to watch. All are welcome! Your support is important.
ZTFE has been informed that a well known A listed Bollywood actor will be accompanying the Parsee Gymkhana Team.
This beautiful 1886 Trophy commemorating Parsee Pioneers of Cricket who visited United Kingdom in 1886
On Monday 19th August, the Parsees will be visiting The Lords Cricket Ground and later in the evening they will be playing in Chiswick, West London.
On Tuesday 20th August, the Parsees will be visiting the Houses of Parliament.
On Wednesday 21st August at 5pm, the Parsees will be playing at the Lurgashall Cricket Club, West Sussex. Lurgashall is one of the most beautiful villages in the South of England, where cricket has been played prior to 1863. Witley train station is closest to Lurgashall Cricket Club.
On Thursday 22nd August – Khordad Sal, ZTFE will be inviting the Parsee Cricket Team to the Zortoastrian Centre for a Khordad Sal celebratory 4 course evening meal at the Zoroastrian Centre. All are welcome! Kindly purchase tickets from the ZTFE Secretariat, phone 020 8866 0765.
On Friday 23rd August at 1pm, the Parsee XI will be playing at The Oval Cricket Ground, against the Charles Alcock XI for the 1886 Trophy. The Oval Cricket Ground is less than 5 minutes walking distance from the Oval London Underground Station. The bus stop for 36 and 436 buses is just near the entrance of the The Oval Cricket Ground. Please contact Mrs Gul R Bilimoria by email on <gulshanrb@virginmedia.com> or phone 07951126391, if you are planning to attend the 1886 Trophy match.
On Saturday 24th August the Parsee Gymkhana Team will depart for Mumbai.
Kindly inform those who are not accessible by email or not connected to the internet.
Yours sincerely
Malcolm M Deboo
President
Cuttack boy Xerxes makes history
Xerxes Diniar Irani is the first-ever contestant from Odisha to qualify for the ‘Culling Round’ of the reality show ‘Roadies Real Heroes’.
From a national level sportsman to an entrepreneur to a social worker, Xerxes Diniar Irani’s CV is as variegated as a busy Manhattan street on a Friday evening.
Hailing from Cuttack and an alumnus of Stewart School, Xerxes made history by becoming the first-ever contestant from Odisha to qualify for the ‘Culling Round’ of the popular reality TV series Roadies Real Heroes.
The 27-year-old former basketball player was pitted against another hopeful participant during the auditions but, in the end, it was Xerxes’ patience and physical abilities that impressed the likes of Rannvijay Singh, Neha Dhupia and Sandeep Singh, seeing him through to the next round.
When asked what made him venture onto a completely different path from what he has travelled before, Xerxes said that he wanted to put Odisha and the Odia youth, who have been grossly underrepresented in national media, on the map.
“Roadies is a platform where you can showcase your talent,” said Xerxes in an exclusive interview with Orissa POST. “I want to become a youth icon and represent my state. Basically, I want to gain some popularity and mileage because I want to use that to promote a sports academy which I am hoping to open very soon.”
“Secondly, it’s a childhood dream come true since I have grown up watching Roadies on TV,” he added. “As someone who loves the outdoors, adventure sports and anything that challenges my physical capabilities, Roadies was the perfect fit for me.”
Xerxes belongs to a family that is steeped in sports. His father, Diniar Parvez Irani, is a former Olympian who was part of the Indian national basketball team in its only Olympic appearance at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. His mother, Gayatri Devi Irani, a princess belonging to the Ranpur royal family, is a former national level basketball player as well. If that wasn’t enough, his sister Dilnawaz is a former district level swimmer.
After completing his schooling, Xerxes studied for two years at Ravenshaw University before moving to St. Xavier’s College in Kolkata for his graduation. A stint with Decathlon Sports was followed by an entrepreneurial job that saw him open one of eastern India’s first Laser Tag arenas.
A social worker as well, Xerxes was involved with ‘Bridges of Sport,’ an NGO primarily focused on offering a platform to promote sporting excellence among remote and tribal communities in India.
“My long term goal is to start a sports academy,” Xerxes continued. “I want to show everyone what I am capable of and bring Odisha on the map. At the national level, the youth of Odisha is not just underrepresented but also misunderstood, which is something I want to rectify.”
“I also want to open a channel on YouTube and Instagram where I would be able to motivate people to pick up sports as a profession or just as a hobby to live a healthier lifestyle,” he added.
Having worked with charities before, the ambitious boy from Cuttack also plans to register his own sports based NGO soon.
“Starting my own NGO is definitely on the cards. Basically, I want to cater to promoting sports at the grassroots level, providing support through equipment, coaches, training facilities and identifying talent in rural India,” he said.
Xerxes believes that being on national television would give him the opportunity to create a public identity that could help him implement his ambitious projects.
Describing his experience in the Roadies studios, Xerxes concluded: “It was exhilarating, it was exciting, it was like a dream. Meeting so many talented people from all across India was beyond exceptional.”
“Besides, meeting Rannvijay, former Indian hockey captain Sandeep Singh, and Neha Dhupia was an amazing experience,” he said.
The Indian bowler who took American cricket by storm in the 1900s
Southern California discovered cricket in the late 19th century, two centuries after the sport reached American shores, but the region lost little time in taking to the game with enthusiasm.
The cricketing season began every summer in May. Several counties—including Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Diego, and San Francisco (in mid-California)—had their own leagues. Practice matches between league teams would kick off the season and near its end, a combined Los Angeles team would take on Santa Monica 11—comprising the best players from that region—for the Dudley Cup.
Year after year, the cricketing season unfolded without spectacular surprises, until the arrival of an Indian and his virtually unplayable spin bowling in the summer of 1907.
Maneckji Jamshedji Bhumgara, a Parsi from Surat, became a bowling sensation for his Los Angeles league team. The “East Indian,” as he was described in the local papers, was lauded for his “twirling abilities” that left the opposition batsmen flummoxed. His recurring five-wicket hauls made him a match-winner, and he was, on occasion, handy with the bat as well.
Bhumgara, who moved to Los Angeles around 1905, turned out for the Wanderers, one of the three league teams in Los Angeles, in his first season. In a crucial league match on July 8, 1907, when his team played the Marylebone Club, Bhumgara scored 16, as his team made 59—one of only three players who reached double figures. He took five wickets and Wanderers won the Test (comprising only an innings each) by six runs.
Click Here for the full story – https://qz.com/india/1520995/the-indian-parsi-spinner-who-bowled-us-cricket-over-in-the-1900s/