Games draw to a close: Final sports wrap-up
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Nairobi, Kenya played host to the first ever Golden Jubilee Games (GJG), the theme of which was "Celebration Through Sport." More than 1 200 men and women from 27 different countries took part, participating across 14 sport categories. Sports featured at GJG included: badminton, basketball, chess, cricket, football (soccer), golf, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, volleyball (international and traditional), and wrestling.
Matches for different sports took place at a variety of venues in Nairobi including the Moi International Sports Centre (Kasarani), International School of Kenya, Nairobi Gymkhana, Simba Union Sports Club, Oshwal Centre, Windsor Golf Country Club, and the Aga Khan Sports Club. Highlights of the various competitions are summarised below.
Women’s international volleyball — Canada vs. United States of America. Photo: Ejaz S Karmali
Spectators witnessed two epic encounters between Syria and Tajikistan, whose teams contested the finals of both the men’s and women’s international volleyball. Both sides have representatives who play on their respective national teams so the quality of play was extremely high and some of the rallies were truly breathtaking. Syria’s men beat Tajikistan in two straight sets. The women’s final went to three sets and Syria came from behind to win 21-25, 25-23, 25-15 in a match that Tajikistan made a valliant attempt to extend.
Meanwhile, in traditional men’s volleyball, Canada put an end to Tanzania’s bid for gold by narrowly winning the final.
Spectators were treated to four different racquet sports at GJG. In badminton, the breadth of talent was apparent with seven countries represented among the men’s singles quarter-finalists. Ultimately, however, competitors from the United Kingdom made a strong showing at the business-end of the competitions and claimed four of the five titles.
The tennis championships were dominated by Canada who provided both finalists in each of the five categories. The Shamasdin brothers being impressive winners of the men’s doubles with brother Adil also taking the men’s singles title.
The squash events saw the spoils divided with Rafiq Balloo of Canada taking the men’s title and Saffina Madhani of Kenya the ladies’ competition. In table tennis, Syria’s team were outstanding and claimed four golds and two silver in the five categories.
Chess was the most cerebral of all competitions at the Games. Azzam of Syria beat Khusrav of Tajikistan in the final.
Men’s cricket — Kenya vs. Pakistan. Photo: Akber Dewji (Hakim Sons)
The cricket competition, a good mix of brain and brawn based on the popular 20-20 format, brought several tight matches with two games being decided on bowl-outs and various others being decided in the last over. The USA were the surprise package of the tournament and provided the favourites from Pakistan and India with a stiff challenge.
In the final, Pakistan beat USA with two overs to spare with both opening batsmen notching up their fifties. The crowd will certainly remember the record 280 runs that the USA scored in one of its earlier matches.
The football tournament proved to be a popular event with 13 teams in total and strong spectator support throughout. In a tightly matched championship game, Canada prevailed 1-0 over Portugal with a thumping strike from just outside the box by Ali Dadikhuda the only difference between the two sides. Canada’s 18 year old midfield maestro Hadi Behdad and young striker Farouk Karim who scored four goals in the tournament were impressive throughout.
The most thrilling match of the tournament had to be the epic semi-final between Portugal and Syria which Portugal won 4-3 after Sameer Esmail scored all four goals for his side and seven in the tournament overall to claim the unofficial “golden boot.” Tanzania’s penalty-kick quarter-final win over Afghanistan was another drama-filled match that had the crowd on its feet in a contest of two plucky teams who showed flashes of brilliance during the tournament.
Men`s doubles tennis final. Photo: Ejaz S. Kamrali
The North American teams were well represented in the basketball finals. In the women’s final, Canada prevailed but only narrowly over Syria 51-48 while in the men’s final, USA overcame over Canada 58-48.
Golf provided the host country Kenya with another of its impressive tally of golds as they took the men’s title while Canada claimed the ladies crown on the beautiful course at the Windsor Golf Country Club.
The swimming events saw several athletes claim multiple golds. On the men’s side, Kenya’s acquatic phenom Shafiq Manji won the 100m freestyle, breaststroke, and butterfly as well as the 4 x 100m relay. Khalil Hassanali of Canada won the 200m and 400m freestyle as well as the 100m backstroke. Canada and Kenya split the women’s golds between them with Canada’s Sahar Lakhani and Anne-Marie Pearce taking home four golds apiece.
The track and field stars of GJG came from various countries with Kenya, Syria, Pakistan and Canada each making particularly strong showings. The showcase event, the 100m sprint, for the unofficial title of “fastest Ismaili on the planet” was won by Faruk Punjani of the USA. Astonishly, the top three finishers all clocked times under 12 seconds and finished within 0.2 seconds of each other. Taslim Savji of Kenya earned the fastest woman accolade. In the men’s 5000m event, the Syrian men scored a notable one-two finish with Kheder Aldebiat hitting the tape in 18 minutes 38 seconds.
Men’s basketball final — Canada vs. United States of America. Photo: Moez Visram
The wrestling competitions were fiercely disputed, particularly among the Central Asian countries who had significant strength in depth. Afghanistan and Tajikistan shared two golds apiece with Canada also making an impression on the competition.
Overall, the inaugural GJG highlighted the impressive breadth and depth of athletic prowess across the Ismaili Muslim community. All 1 467 athletes won over the hearts of the spectators for their impressive efforts, sportsmanship, and skills shown from the outset to the final referee's whistle.
