The All Parsees Sports Foundation hosted the much awaited 41^st chapter of the Jal D. Pardiwala Annual Athletic Meet, across 3^rd and 4^th January, 2026, at the University Stadium, Marine Lines, with 351 participants from nearly 30 Parsi baugs and institutions competing across age groups. The meet, held under the auspices of Nowroze Baug Play Centre, Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorial Trust (Dadar), Cusrow Baug United Sports and Welfare League, and the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations for Welfare and Culture (FOZAWAC), featured events ranging from the under-6 category to veterans aged 45 and above.

Dr. Burjor Banaji and Mrs. Jenai Banaji graced the event as Chief Guests, alongside Guest of Honour – Nevil Daroga. Homiyar Mistry – former National athlete, Meher Panthaki – Chairperson, WAPIZ and former Olympian – Adille Sumariwalla also honoured the occasion with their presence. While participation was robust, several athletes and spectators expressed a wish to see a women’s veterans category too in future editions, as this would further strengthen inclusivity and enrich the overall spirit of the sports meet.

The two-day meet witnessed strong spectator support. The sportsmanship and energetic performance of the participants was matched only by the enthusiasm of their own band of cheerleaders as parents, friends and families of participants, vociferously cheered from the stands. A highlight of the meet was its array of historic trophies, some over a century old, reflecting the proud legacy of Parsi athletics. Speakers also gently noted the need to revive Parsi representation in elite track and field at the national level.

Chief Guests Dr. Burjor Banaji and Mrs. Jenai Banaji, parents of late Raiyan Banaji, spoke on the character-building role of athletics. Dr. Banaji noted that several records set by Parsi athletes over two decades ago remain unbroken, underscoring past excellence and current stagnation. “Athletics teaches discipline, resilience, and grace in both victory and defeat,” he said.

Guest of Honour – Nevil Daroga, former national and international champion weightlifter, who was present with wife Navaz, recalled the community’s erstwhile stronger presence in elite sport. “During the 1982 Asian Games there were seven Parsi participants. Today, we hardly see Parsis on the national sports scene,” Daroga said, urging youngsters to pursue competitive sport more seriously.

Veteran athlete and former Olympian, Adille Sumariwalla stressed how sports complemented academic achievement. “The belief that sports harms studies is a fallacy,” he said, adding that discipline and resilience developed through sport are critical for long-term success. He also criticised complacency within the community and expressed concern over declining participation at competitive levels.

Mahiyar Dastoor, Vice President of the Managing Committee, shared that preparations for the meet commence three to four months in advance and involve extensive coordination, including sponsorship mobilisation, participant registrations, venue arrangements and liaisoning with the Mumbai City District Amateur Athletic Association to ensure performances are recognised for district-level records. He informed that the Foundation intends to expand its outreach through enhanced social media engagement and digital registration platforms to further boost participation in future editions.

AWARDS: 41^st Jal D. Pardivala All Parsee Annual Athletic Meet 2026

The prestigious Late Air Marshal Minoo Meherwan Engineer Trophy for Lifetime Contribution to Parsi Sports was awarded to Mrs. Mithoo Jesia, Chairperson of the All Parsees Sports Foundation and daughter of the late Jal D. Pardiwala. The award was accepted on her behalf by her daughters, Arnaz and Nina Jesia.

Fareez Vasania won the ‘Best Athlete of the Year’, while Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorial Trust (Dadar) won the Men’s Team Championship Cup and Maneckji Cooper Educational Trust School (Santacruz) lifted the Women’s Team Championship Cup. Arzaan Panthaky (MEJMT, Dadar) was adjudged Best Male Athlete of the Meet and Linn Nikorawala (MCET, S’cruz) won Best Female Athlete of the Meet.

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS:

CATEGORY	GIRLS	BOYS
Under-6	Kiyara Mehta (Ind.)	Zidane Panthaki (THSC, Parel) & Mazdaan Bhesadia (SNWMP, Byculla)
Under-8	Humaira Rana (Malcolm Baug)	Darian Bharucha (Sir C.J Colony)
Under-10	Saisha Irani (BPP, Byculla)	Pithawala Aryan (BJPC)
Under-12	Linn Nikorawala (MCET, S’cruz)	Zian Dhunjibhoy (Ind.)
Under-14	Reanna Pavri (CBUSWL)	Kehaan Bhesadia (THSC, Parel)
Under-16	Zasha Patrawala (Ind.)	Fareez Badshaw (MEJMT, Dadar)
Under-18	–	Rustom Bhesania (Nowroze Baug)

 

CATEGORY	WINNER
Men – Ind. Ch’ship	Arzaan Panthaky (MEJMT, Dadar)
Women – Individual Championship	Fiyan Kasnavia (MCET, S’cruz)
Men Veteran – Ind. Ch’ship	Rayomand Irani (MEJMT, Dadar)
Fastest Girl Athlete of the Meet	Linn Nikorawala (MCET, S’cruz)
Fastest Boy Athlete of the Meet	Rustom Bhesania (Nowroze Baug)
Fastest Woman Of The Meet	Ayesha Billimoria (MEJMT, Dadar)
Fastest Man Of The Meet	Arzaan Panthaky (MEJMT, Dadar)
Javelin Throw – Men	Vir Bugli (Nowroze Baug)
3,000 mts Run – MEN	Taronish Irani (MEJMT, Dadar)
1,500 mts Run – Men	Sohrab Mehta (Panthaky Baug)
Youngest Participant of the meet	Kysha Tampal (Nowroze Baug)
Tug of War (Men & Women)	Zoroastrian Colony – Team B

Linn Nikorawala, Fareez Badshaw and Zian Dhunjibhoy also received the ‘Upcoming Athletes’ Award.

Long-time sports enthusiast with over three decades of involvement, Vice President Rusi Bhumgara, reflected on the gradual decline in Parsi participation in athletics and emphasised the vital role parents play in encouraging young children to engage with sport. While the 41st Jal D. Pardiwala Annual Athletic Meet witnessed encouraging grassroots participation and strong community support, speakers collectively noted that sustained commitment, contemporary outreach and a more inclusive approach will be key to nurturing the next generation of Parsi athletes.

Overall, the Meet stood out as a well-organised and spirited celebration of sporting tradition, community bonding and youthful enthusiasm, reinforcing the enduring power of sport to inspire participation, pride and possibility across generations.