Road to the Games: Saurashtra galli players impress in cricket final
Road to the Games is a series of articles profiling Ismaili athletes from countries around the world, and the journeys they have undertaken to reach the Golden Jubilee Games. The series is being published in the run-up to the Games, which will take place between 23 – 29 June in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Vaishalinagar Scouts and Guides honour athletes at the Closing Ceremony of the National Sports Tournament. Photo: Courtesy the Ismaili Council for India
The announcement of the Golden Jubilee Games in India received a tremendous response. Athletes from across the country revelled at the opportunity to demonstrate their talent, meet Ismaili athletes from around the world, and strive for excellence in sport alongside their brothers and sisters.
Indian athletes signed-up for badminton, cricket, table tennis, and track and field events. Among the registrants, there was a good mix of men and women from urban and rural areas.
The qualifying rounds began in November 2007, when over 3 200 competitors took part in 30 local sports tournaments. Approximately 1 200 participants advanced to the six regional sports tournaments held in January and February. The qualification process culminated in a National Sports Tournament, held over three days in April at the Goregaon Sports Complex in Mumbai, in which over 340 athletes participated. Some 60 athletes prevailed, and are set to represent the Indian Jamat at the Golden Jubilee Games in Kenya.
The winning women’s team in the track relays receives an award from the President Nizamuddin Ajani of the Ismaili Council for India. Photo: Courtesy the Ismaili Council for India
Afterwards, a closing ceremony was held at a historic site in Hasanabad featuring an awards presentation, cultural performances by youth, and motivational films to inspire the athletes, who were cheered-on by an audience of over 550 people.
The Indian team includes a number of accomplished athletes. Table tennis player Imran Charania, ranked in the top five at the Junior Nationals tournament for five years, was amongst those selected to go to Kenya.
Ravish Dobani, who will swim for India in Nairobi, was one of four people chosen to participate in Around Mumbai, a 225 kilometre sea relay organised to promote national and religious unity in India. Each swimmer in the 38 hour relay was selected to represent one of four religious communities — Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians.
Football team at India`s National Sports Tournament. Photo: Courtesy the Ismaili Council for India
Cricket teams from Saurashtra, Gujarat, made-up of players from small towns and villages who generally play galli (“street” cricket), performed impressively against their competitors from the more urban regions of Western and Southern India. Samir Koradia, a batsman from Ahmedabad who will represent the Indian cricket team in Kenya as the team captain, even scored a half-century.
In the cricket final, Northern Saurashtra defeated Southern Saurashtra by five wickets in 14 overs. The cricket team travelling to Nairobi will be coached by Mr Abdul Ismail, a professional selector for the Mumbai Cricket Association and former winner of the Ranji Trophy.
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