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The Indian youth of the 1930's, been no different from the youth of today, had developed a keen interest in sport after they arrived in New Zealand. It was the team tours from India, of the 1926 Army Team, of the 1930's Nawab of Maniwaders State Team, and the 1935 All India Hockey Team (captained by Dhyan Chand) that they developed a keen interest in hockey. The skills and successes of the touring teams inspired the local Indians to try and copy their new heroes |
"they're Indians and great hockey players; we're Indians so we can be great hockey players too!"
Many elders became annoyed with the youth playing sport instead of working. Despite this the boys (Daji Lala, Chhagan Parag, Ranchhod Govind, Dayal Kesri, Ranchhod Nana, Jagu Bhagwanji and others) with their hockey sticks made from wooden banana boxes, would get together to play for fun at the Mount Cook School playground, Ebor Street, Coutts Street and later at Seatoun Park.
The touring teams eventually proved to be the catalyst for the formation of the Wellington Indian Sports Club or Wellington Hindi Ramat Gamat Mandal in October 1935. The first official meeting was held at 25 Dundas Street, Seatoun in Vallabh Hira's shop. The main purpose for forming the Club was to allow members to play together as a Mandal, rather that in other clubs and against each other. Other reasons included: the feeling and need for safety and unity in being with your own people; to create co-operation and understanding between cultures; and to promote integration making Indians more acceptable in the European society.
First Executive Officers:
President - Vallabh Hira
Secretary - Hira Bava
Vice President - Ranchhod Nana
Under Secretary - Dayal (Sukha) Naran
Membership fee was set at two shillings and six pence. For 30 shillings, all sports equipment and transport was provided for members. Payment could also be made at six pence per week.
Founding Members:
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| Bhikha Morar Dayal Kesri |
Chhagan (Kali) Dahya |
Chhotu Unka Jekishan |
| Lallu Bhana Raman Kasanji |
Diar Rama Kanji Bhaga |
Bhagvanji Naran Morar |
| Budhia Morar Dayal Vallabh |
Ranchhod Rama |
Vanmali Kasanji |
| Lala Bava Ranchhod Nana |
Chhagan Parag Hira |
Chhotu Khushal Jeram |
| Bhula Madhav Dayal (Sukha) |
Bava Naran Daji Ravji |
Gopal Narotam (Uttam) |
| Naran Kanji Morar Ranchhod |
Kara |
Kasanji Vasan Ravji |
| Govind |
Chhiba Parbhu Hira |
Daji Lala Jivan Bava |
| Jagu Chauhan Narshih |
Govind Morar (Ganda) |
Rama Dahya (Nichha) |
| Makan Vallabh Hira |
Nathu Sukha Makan |
Eddie McLeod (coach) |
| Chhotu Keshav Hira |
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Dedication and hard work was not a problem, and after clearing a ground covered in bush and scrub at the entrance of the Hutt Motor Camp, where they could practice, an alternative field in the centre of the Hutt Park Raceway was offered to them by the council. Transport and hockey sticks were provided by the Club. Practices and games were followed by Gita Class at the Association of Foresters Hall (AOF) in Vivian Street.
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from left: Narotam Kasanji, Ravji Kara, Lallu Bhana, Gandabhai (Morar) Nathu, Dayal Naran
Chhagan Dahya, Ranchod Rama, Bhikha Morar, Chhiba Parbhu, Lala Bava, Dayal Kesry. |
The First Team formed in 1935 was entered into the Wellington competition in 1936 and hit the headlines in the local papers. The team was coached by Eddie McLeod (NZ Cricket and Hockey Captain), who also played a vital role in the administration of the team with the Wellington Hockey Association, and the Clubs official umpire was Bill Scott. Team uniform included white shirts and shorts with black socks. The shorts had green, white and orange stripes down the side which represented the colours of the Indian Freedom Movement. The team chanted freedom slogans before each game:
“Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Asadi Jai”
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