PJ Hindu Gymkhana which is the hub of sportspersons in Mumbai, has over the years produced many international level sportspersons in different games like Cricket, Billiards, Tennis, Table Tennis and Badminton, still continues with their policy of encouraging the members by offering better facilities. Recently, the Gymkhana played different teams of Men and Women in MCDTTA organized Inter Club Annual league, which concluded last month.
PJ Hindu Gymkhana medal winners pose with Gymkhana officials during the felicitation function
In the first division Men’s league, the Gymkhana team won silver medal securing 2nd position, while their other team won Bronze medal in the Men’s 2nd division. To felicitate the medal winners, the Gymkhana officials hosted dinner for them today evening. The Gymkhana Jr. Hon Secretaries Mr. Pranav Chikhal and Alpesh Dharia applauded the performance of the medal winners and offered best wishes to the Juniors like Parthav kelkar, Tanmay Rane & Hardik Panchal , members of Gymkhana A team which won silver medals, for the forthcoming Jr. Nationals. Earlier, PJ Hindu Gymkhana Hon.TT Secretary Ulhas Shirke introduced them all to the Gymkhana officials. The TT secretary who was also member of this team, also praised the wonderful performance of Saurabh Mohite in the league. Other office bearers of the Gymkhana Nimish Soni, Jignesh Sanghavi and games department secretaries Ketan Pandya, Maulik Merchant, Pravin Kapadia, Bharatkumar Gandh were also present for this function.
Evergreen Prakash Kelkar who led the Gymkhana C team in the 2nd division was also praised for his consistent performance over the years. Prakash in turn thanked his team members Abhay Mehta, Sanjay Mehta, Jayant Kulkarni and R.C.Shah for displaying good team spirit and finest support during every match they played on home and away basis. “It was a pleasure playing with such a balanced team combination,” he said. This year, the teams in 1st and 2nd division were selected on the basis of performance of the players in selection trials held in January earlier this year.
During this function, veteran TT player and former international Suhas Kulkarni was also felicitated for being associated with Gymkhana and the game of table tennis for the past 50 years. Suhas is still active with this game and displayed good form in the first division Inter Club league, while leading Gymkhana ‘B’ team, which secured fourth position. The former champion turned nostalgic, while recalling some old memories, when he first joined this Gymkhana as a 15 year old junior, representing the Maharashtra Junior’s team. “ Those days, we used to rush in the early morning hours, before Gymkhana gates were open, to be in the first batch to occupy table. Though there were four tables, there used to be waiting list and we used to play ‘Winners to stay’, to generate more competition, among ourselves. I am really grateful to this Gymkhana and hence still play for the team and enjoy the competitive spirit of this Inter club league,” he added. Suhas had also played selection trials in the Gymkhana to prove his current form and to be eligible for the selection, which clearly shows his modesty..
The Gymkhana officials also took note of the service offered by their veteran Women’s player Neeta Kulkarni, who still plays for Gymkhana women’s team and gives tough time to young girls during inter club matches. Incidentally, Neeta has been promoted as Asst Commissioner of Customs and Excise and will report to their Pune office soon. Abhay Mehta who played for the Top Spinners team, which won the Gold medal in recently concluded MSL-3 TT Championship was also greeted on this occasion.