"It was spectacular witnessing everyone play with such great sportsmanship, the crowd cheering loudly and the rhythmic sound of shuttles echoing through the court,” noted a report by Zoish Motiwalla, secretary of The Zoroastrian Youth Association (ZYA) Poona that conjointly with the Pune Zoroastrian Sports Association convened the 1st All Zarthosti Badminton Tournament at the Global Sports Arcade on June 15, 2025. In addition to 59 participants from Poona, there were 10 from Bombay and one from Hyderabad.
Simultaneous matches were played in three courts for the knockout round. Then followed a break where snacks were served to all at the "Hotts counter.” When the games resumed, "our semi-finalists and finalists gave it their all on the court!” The Junior Singles was won by Yuvaan Bottlewalla with his younger brother Riaan being the runner up. The Women’s Singles final saw Michelle Anklesaria defeat Benifer Katrak. In the Veteran Singles, Percy Avari claimed the title, with Maneck Daruwalla as the runner-up. The Men’s Open Singles Final was a nail-biter when Piroze Katrak clinched a close win over Zarayus Anklesaria.
Top: match in progress; above: Tournament organizers and winners
The Mixed Doubles saw Benifer Katrak and Zarayus Anklesaria emerge as winners, while Michelle and Piroze were the runners-up. In the Men’s Doubles Piroze and Zarayus led the scoreboard over the runners up Shan Bottlewalla and Yezdan Karbhari. Special awards were conferred on the oldest player Daruwalla, aged 62, and the three youngest players, 11-year-old Riaan, Zian Gocal and Delna Khambatta.
While acknowledging the "seamless coordination” of the committee members and volunteers, Motiwalla named the generous donors: Arnavaz Damania, Yezdi Canteenwala, Roshan Chindhy, the Aga family, Ratush Wadia, Dilmeher Bhola, Sardar Nowroji and Bai Heerabai Pudumjee Trust, Khan Bahadur Pestonjee Sohrabji Charity Fund, Shaw Enterprises Logistics and Warehouse Ltd, and Mansha Enterprises. Their contributions have helped ZYA to strengthen bonds within the community while ensuring that Zoroastrian traditions and culture are passed down to future generations.