Direct Volleyball Tournaments in Parsi colonies goes back over a century and the Marazban Colony team has a history to boast of, having been playing 
this game for ages and winning numerous inter-colony events. But this time the Marazban colony team outdid itself, going beyond inter-colony matches, as three young and promising sportsmen from this team – namely Astad Phiroze Palkhiwalla, Paras Ardaviraf Daruwala and Afrid Phiroze Palkhiwalla – were selected to play for Team India Direct Volleyball on international grounds! And they returned victorious, doing the community and the nation proud! They won not one, but two grand championships – ‘The Dubai World Cup, Direct Volleyball (2022-23) Championship’; and the recently concluded third ‘Indo-Nepal Direct Volleyball International Championship 2023’, held in Nepal.
A felicitation program for these young boys was arranged on 27th August, 2023, by Amin Patel, MLA – Mumbadevi Taluka, along with E-ward Municipal Corporator – Javed Juneja, at the request of Pervin Daruwalla, colony social worker and VP – Minority Committee, Indian National Congress, at the BMC School Hall, at Mumbai Central.
Pervin Daruwalla gave a warm welcome note. Javed Juneja commended the three lads on their excellent achievement, having represented India, at their own expense, in both tournaments since Direct Volleyball is not recognised by Ministry of Sports, GOI. He requested MLA Amin Patel to represent the matter in the Maharashtra assembly and get the game its due recognition by the Sports Ministry.
Addressing the audience, Amin Patel praised the Parsi community, commending it for having lived up to its promise by embracing and sweetening the Indian culture like the ‘Doodh ma Sakar’ story. He acknowledged how the Parsi community had greatly contributed towards the growth and pride of India. “These three young boys have also outshined and proven their worth as Parsis, and in the Indian Direct Volleyball team, Parsis have represented 30% of the team members,” he said, receiving much applause.
He then awarded Astad, Paras and Afrid a trophy of appreciation along with a shawl, pledging the support of his office for them in the future. He praised Pervin Daruwalla for her efforts towards community service. A vote of thanks marked the conclusion of this event, which raised a toast to the spirit of sportsmanship of our Parsi lads for winning laurels for Team India.
[Courtesy: Dr. Gev Aspi Dalal]
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