Eighty enthusiastic Zarathushtis, aged between 14 to 50 years, participated in the first of its kind All Parsi Volleyball/Throwball competition organized in Poona on January 15, 2023. Organized by the Zoroastrian Youth Association (ZYA) jointly with the Poona Parsee Gymkhana, Poona Parsee Panchayat and The Poona Zarthosti Seva Mandal, there were eight men’s teams participating in the volleyball challenge and two women’s teams in throw ball, noted a report by Mabrin Nanavatti who spearheaded the event.
(Clockwise from above l) At Poona’s All Parsi Volleyball/Throwball competition:
winning teams Zoroastrian Youth Association, Maverick and Persepolis
Team Persepolis, captained by Mehrdad Namiranian, won the volleyball finals against Team Mavericks captained by Cyrus Malegamwalla. In throwball, the ZYA team captained by Behnaz Nanavatti won against Team Phoenix headed by Parmida Mavalwalla. Varaj Pardiwalla and Rodabeh Jokhi were presented trophies for the most valuable player in the two games. While the winners were given rolling trophies, cash prizes and certificates, every player was given a participation certificate.
The other teams vying for the volleyball prizes were Challengers captained by Percy Ankleshwaria, Live Wire by Porus Pithawalla, Vintage Legends by Vispi Master, Rockin Bawas by Ardaviraf Sinor, ZYA-1 by Hormuz Pundole and ZYA-2 by Rayhaan Irani.
With the matches starting at 8.30 a.m. and ending around 4 p.m., the participants were fed complimentary breakfast and snacks courtesy Jehanbux Desai of Hott Catering Services, Mancher Irani of Café Yezdan, Farokh Irani of Imperial Bakery, Sohrab Chinoy of ABC Farms and Red Bull through Pearl Motafram. Lunch arrangements were done by The Food Gallery.
Practice sessions for this tournament were conducted at the Parsi Colony volleyball court in Lullanagar during the preceding month. While thanking the sponsors and others "whose extensive help made the organization of the event smooth and exciting,” Mabrin particularly acknowledged the cooperation of Malegamwalla, Bhaktiar Narielwalla, Farah Khambatta, Pundole, Behnaz Nanavatti and Motafram. The ZYA now looks forward to organizing a national level tournament soon, added Mabrin.