Dara Pochkhanawala, a highly respected personality in the cricketing and media community – veteran CA Umpire, Cricket Administrator and Sports Journalist – passed away at age 74, on 16th August, 2024, after a prolonged illness, in Mumbai.
A gold medalist in the MCA umpires examination in the 1970s, Dara commenced his illustrious career freelancing for the Free Press Journal and moving on to Mumbai Samachar in the 1980’s, where he was Sports Editor for over thirty years. He boasted a distinguished career as a veteran journalist, contributing significantly to the sports journalism field. His multifaceted involvement in cricket, both on and off the field, left a lasting impact on the sport and those who knew him. He was a true multi-talented individual, excelling as a gold medal-winning MCA umpire from 1970 to 1992.
A highly respected figure in the sports community, Dara was a seasoned MCA umpire, who also served as a media coordinator. A former member of the Mumbai Cricket Association’s Managing Committee, he served as an office bearer of the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai, and was the founding member of the All India Cricket Scorer and Statistician Committee. He was also a former member of the Umpire Sub-Committee of the Mumbai Cricket Association.
Dara officiated in the prestigious,and star-studded Times Shield matches during the 1970s and 1980s, gaining recognition for his expertise. His contributions extended beyond umpiring, as he also made his mark as a journalist and cricket administrator, serving twice on the MCA’s Managing Committee.
In addition to his roles in cricket, Dara founded a club named Fort Youngsters in 1970, which was dedicated to nurturing young talent. He helped and guided many young and upcoming talented umpires to reach higher levels in the sport. The Club was sold few years ago for Rs.1.30 crore and the proceeds were distributed between club members in the form of gold coins, retaining for himself just a one rupee and a small gold coin as a token.
As an Umpire, he was respected by national and global cricketing fraternity for his immense knowledge and unbiased sense of fair-play and neutrality. In a recent honour celebrating his lasting legacy, just a month ago, in July 2024, Dara was awarded a specially crafted coin with an engraving of his face on it, by the Association of Cricket Umpires – Mumbai, on the occasion of its annual meet, at the MCA Lounge, Wankhede Stadium, for his outstanding and lifelong services in the field of Umpiring.
One of Dara’s lesser known achievements included organising the very first night cricket match in May, 1981, at Mumbai’s Wilson College Gymkhana, between two local teams – Blue Star Cricket Club and his own Fort Youngsters. This 40-overs match was viewed by over ten thousand enthusiastic spectators. Always ready to lend a helping hand to all, Dara also helped former BCCI panel Umpire – Keki Doodhwala, translate MCC Cricket Laws, from English to Gujarati.
An eminent personality who brought much pride onto the nation and the community, Dara Pochkhanawala leaves behind a brilliant lasting legacy that will continue to inspire one and all for generations to come.
