From The Africa Federation Archives


1. Sports & Social Affairs Articles from Manzil - Aug/Sept 1956 Issue

2. Zanzibar Ithna-Asheri Gymkhana - K.J. Cup Winners - 1958
 

From the MANZIL MAGAZINE – AUG/SEPT 1956

 

SPORTS & SOCIAL AFFAIRS

 

ZANZIBAR                                                   From Our Reporter

 

The Ithna-Asheri Sports Club Dar es Salaam paid the usual biennial sports visit to Zanzibar during the last August Bank Holidays to contest various sports fixtures with the Ithna-Asheri Gymkhana of Zanzibar.

 

The fixtures included cricket, volley-ball and table tennis. All the games were won by the Gymkhana. When the cricket match was over, on the last day of the visit, respective trophies were presented to the winners by Mr. S. N. Meghji, a veteran member of the Gymkhana.

 

On the eve of the visitors' departure, a lunch party was held in their honour at the Mehfil Shane Khurassan, where about 200 people were present. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nurali Jessa, president of the Gymkhana, thanked the Ithna-Asheri Club of Dar es Salaam, for having .sent its full teams for three games, despite the fact that there were no steamers scheduled for sail to Zanzibar during the holidays this year.

 

Two of the veteran members of the Gymkhana were announced as Honorary Members of the Gymkhana in the Party, for their valuable services to the Gymkhana on and off the Held for the past many years. They were Mr. Sherali N. Megji and Mr. Anwearali H. Virjee. Since the establishment of the Ithna-Asheri sports body in Zanzibar, in the year 1896, these members are the first and only ones to be conferred with the honorary, membership so far. Engraved medals were pinned on them, and were garlanded by Aga Aguli Seyyed Mohamedali, chairman of the Cricket Selection Sub­committee, of the Gymkhana.

 

Mr. Sherali Megji first shone as batsman in 1923, when he played for Zanzibar against a Navy team at the age of 17. He was later known as Sherali "NDEGE" for his sure sixers in every match. He captained Ithna-Asheri teams many times to win the yearly K.J. Cup and League Shield.

 

Mr. Virjee was president of the Gymkhana many times. He is a well-known figure in commerce and politics. During his presidentship in 1953, the Gymkhana arranged a Hassan Virjee Cricket Cup Competition in Zanzibar, which was contested by Ithna-Asheri representative teams from Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika and Zanzi­bar.  The 'two-gallon' cup was donated by Mr. Virjee.

 

The following Ithna-Asheri players were selected to represent the Zanzibar Cricket XI, in a "test" match against Pakistan team, which was played at Zanzibar, on the 4th and 5th September.

 

(1) Mr. G. H Ismail. (2) Aga Sayyed Jawad Sayyed Jaffer, (3) Baqir Tejani and

(4) Mr. Akber Gulamhusein Dether. The match was originally fixed to be played on the 5th and 6th September, but 6th being religious mourning day of Ithna-Asheries, the fixture had to be altered.

 

 

 

KAMPALA

Kampala fans got a glimpse of the test-class cricket when the Pakistani Touring Team played against Uganda XI. Uganda started very well and every optimist thought something unusual would happen but alas! it was just a storm in tea-cup. The 'Wonder boy' Hanif and Wallis Mathais demonstrated some 'class' strokes. They really showed how to play with the ball, But unfortunately, Mathais had to withdraw from the game because he heard the tragic news of the untimely demise of his father. 'Manzil offers heartfelt condolence for this sad bereavement.

 

 

Thanks to Mr. Shaukat Virji that the topic of Blood Bank is on the tip of each and every Ithnasheri youth. Mr. Virji under the auspices of our Jamath started the large-scale campaign of getting blood donors, and is devoting his precious time by attending the Meetings as a representative of our Jamath, by bringing home the facts about the service, and by organising the blood groupings. Our youths have instantly came forward to donate their blood and the number of our donors would in no time reach 100.

 

Youths, you have really kept the price of our community.
 
 

ZANZIBAR ITHNASHERI GYMKHANA - K.J. CUP WINNERS - 1958

Staning (L to R): Muhsin Alidina (Scorer), Yusuf Kabana, Basheer Nasser, Jaffer Peera, Ahmed Juma, Yusuf Dhalla, Akber Gulamhussein, Mohamed Walji

Sitting (L to R): Noorali Meghji, Bakir Tijani, Gulamhusein Esmail (Captain), Mohamed Kermali (President), Mohamed Issa, Yusuf Nathoo, Yusuf Juma
 
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