Zarathushtrian Association

Preparations began early in the morning from 7:30 a.m. with the Committee members and volunteers working on the grounds, measuring and creating lanes, for various races. Our sports catered to various age groups from children under 6 years to Seniors 60 and above. A total number of 33 races (not including heats) for various Aged Groups and another 7 Mixed events were conducted. Ninety participants with their families and friends enjoyed the day and stayed at the grounds until the prize giving ceremony. Every race had some friend or family cheering and supporting their choice of participant(s).

ZANZ presented Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the age group events. Certificates were also presented courtesy of Benifer Irani. In the mixed events we gave chocolates as prizes. Results of each race are provided at the end of this write-up.

Two rotating shields donated by Porus and Benifer Irani for the Men’s and Women’s champions with most points were awarded as follows:

ZANZ All Parsis Athletic Meet - Women’s Champion – Jefferina Siganporia                         

ZANZ All Parsis Athletic Meet – Men’s Champion – Perzaan Mehta

This event took considerable time and effort to make it successful.  Our volunteers deserve a big thanks for their commitment and being on their feet from early morning and throughout the day. The ZANZ Management committee would like to thank all the volunteers for their contributions and support.

Our evergreen member Benifer Irani deserves a special mention and thanks, for her unflinching commitment by encouraging many youngsters and seniors to participate in this event. Her unique style of calling participants for each race, announcing the rules, giving the start and then cheering participants during the race enthralled everyone on the ground.  We would also like to thank Anahita Hansotia, Benifer Aspar, Paeterasp and Anahita Vevaina, Tehmus Mistry, Kashmira Kambata, Daliah Kermani and all other volunteers who worked silently in the background. Finally, thanks to Rushad Anklesaria for making the medals for us.

Zoroastrian Community Trust of New Zealand (ZCT) put up food stalls serving delicious lamb & chicken cutlets, chicken & kheema rolls, samosas and popsicles. Later on in the afternoon, refreshing tea was also provided. Everyone enjoyed the yummy food.  We finally finished for the day at 6.00 p.m.

This event would not have been successful without the support of our members, friends, family and our community. This support and participation keeps this Management Committee encouraged to host new and exciting events.  We also need more volunteers, like Benifer Irani, to take charge of certain events with the help of the Management Committee.

Regards,

ZANZ Management Committee

The winners of the individual races were as follows:

We would like to thank our dastoors Viraf Fatakia, Khushroo Master, Jamsheed Tata, Perzaan Mehta, Furzan Rao, Karan Bhandari, Riyasp Bhandari, Navzad Chhor and Jehan Balsara for participating in the prayers.

Thanks to Daliah Kermani, Armin Dadabhoy, Havovi Chhor, Tehmus Mistry, Thrity Mistry and others who brought yummy food for all to share.

A special thanks to Goolu Balsara and Gulshan Vagal for making monetary donations towards the flowers and fruits for the Jashan and all our volunteers including Minoo Siganporia and Merzi Daruwalla who helped with the setting up and cleaning afterwards.

DJ Raaz played popular English and Hindi tunes all night as people dined on delicious Indian food (onion pakoras, chicken tikkas, Masala chicken, lamb roganjosh, butter chicken, jeera rice, Bombay aloo and saag paneer) followed by yummy mango kulfi.

The dancing started in full swing after dinner and continued until the last guest was too tired to boogie anymore.

ZANZ organised a badminton tournament at the Howick Recreation Centre on 16th October 2011. This event has proved very popular over the past few years. This year we had 5 events: Men’s singles, Men’s doubles, Women’s singles, Women’s doubles and Junior singles.

Our congratulations to the following winners and runners up in their respective categories:

The games were followed by a prize giving ceremony where the efforts of the winners and all participants were acknowledged and celebrated.

This tournament was organised and managed by Minoo Siganporia, Paeterasp Vevaina and Kairus Hansotia and we thank them for the superb job they did in helping the ZANZ committee.

We would like to thank all our volunteers for umpiring the games and helping us to set up and tidy up the hall. Everybody pitched in and provided support throughout the tournament so thanks to all of you.

We would also like to thank ZCT for providing lamb samosas, lamb cutlets, chicken rolls, drinks and cookies for the hungry crowd. They sold out very quickly which was a testament to their yummy food.

This was the last sporting event for ZANZ in 2011 but we are already organising a table tennis tournament in February 2012 so start practising!

Community participation and volunteering is essential for the success of ZANZ functions and we look forward to seeing more of you at future events.

Regards,

ZANZ Management Committee

The party started with a spectacular planetarium feature show entitled Astronaut which took everyone on a roller-coaster ride into space, and gave a virtual tour of a space station.  The children were also treated to another special feature on the total lunar eclipse which was expected to be seen in New Zealand that night.  Both children and parents enjoyed the shows.

After the two shows, the children had snacks and waited patiently for Santa to arrive and distribute presents. He did not disappoint and soon the party room floor was strewn with ripped wrapping paper as the children eagerly opened their presents.  

Some committee members of the 6th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress - Tinaz Karbhari, Nazneen Sukhia and Xerxes Sukhia – were also present to assist, take photos and do face painting for the children.

After another walk through the Observatory displays and a play in the playground outside, everyone went home. All the children who attended had a wonderful time.  

The ZANZ committee would like to thank our Santa (Naazneen Wadia) for once again entertaining the children (and parents) and Tinaz, Nazneen and Xerxes for helping out before, during and after the party. We hope to see more youth involved in future ZANZ events.

Regards,
ZANZ Management Committee