Sports Day brings out the best of Marathi spirit and talent

Members from the Executive Committee of Auckland Marathi Association Inc (from left): Aniruddha Sain, Aniket Khedekar, Deepti Zantye, Bhoopali Deshpande, Chinar Chitale, Synergy Sports Centre Event Coordinator Damon Zhu, Neha Revankar, Harshad Bandekar, Anurag Jadhav and Chaitanya Nerkar (Photo from Chaitanya Nerkar)

Chaitanya Nerkar
Auckland, August 31, 2024

The Auckland Marathi Association (AMAI) conducted its Sports Day at Synergy Sports Centre, New Lynn, West Auckland on August 17, 2024.

The event this year commemorated the National Sports Day of India, observing the birth anniversary of Hockey player Dhyan Chand on August 29, 2024.

The highly anticipated AMAI Sports Day was lively and energetic bringing together players of all ages (from children to senior citizens) to compete in four major sports: Table Tennis, Volleyball, Carrom and Chess.

At the Chess Boards were Santosh Parab, Sham Revankarm, Tanmayee Gange and Jitesh Tambakhe
(Photo from Chaitanya Nerkar)

The day began with an opening ceremony led by the AMAI President (Chinar Chitale), followed by Vice-President (Devadatt Paranjape) hosting the event. All players participated with enthusiasm, and the organisers ensured that each of them was well-looked after with refreshments, fruits and water.

Synergy and Energy

The highlight of the event was the distribution of medals and certificates. Winners and runners-up in each sport were awarded medals along with Certificates of Excellence. All participants were also honoured with Participation Certificates to recognise their involvement.

Among the participants at the Carrom Tournament were Shrikant Bahad, Hiren Mistry, Trupti Mistry, Sujit Sabnis, Harsh Pamak and Pankaj Monga (Photo from Chaitanya Nerkar)

Adding to the excitement, Radio Apna was present to cover the event, capturing the joy and passion of the participants and spectators alike. Sponsors played a crucial role, not only by supporting the event but also by displaying banners and felicitating the winners.

In a historic first, an international-standard Carrom setup was introduced, setting a new benchmark for AMAI events. The initiative was highly appreciated by all.

Enthusiastic Participation

The event drew participants from Auckland and Whangarei, highlighting the widespread appeal and importance of the Sports Day. The dedication of the AMAI Committee was evident, as they worked tirelessly to ensure the event’s success. Their 100% effort, combined with the support of volunteers, referees, and sponsors, made the day truly memorable.