NZISA Honours

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Life Members

In recognition of distinguished service, the Life Member Award has been awarded to:

 

JAYANT H. PATEL

  • Seven years of committed service.

  • Jayant commenced his association with the NZ Central Indian Sports Organisation (NZCISO - the former name of the NZISA) in 1963 as an Executive Committee member, being a delegate for the Wellington Indian Sports Club.

  • He held the office of Secretary in 1965/66, then held the office of President for three years (1966-1969).

  • His involvement was during the formative years of NZISA, when it was vital for this new body to become administratively stable to allow it to develop with direction.

  • During his years of involvement Jayant was instrumental in preparing the first constitution of NZISA which was adopted in 1966.

  • In 1966, recognising the calibre of Indian hockey players available, he led a group that arranged the first NZISA Men’s representative hockey game, and two years later he arranged the first NZISA representative cricket game.

  • Jayant was awarded Life Membership in 1991.

 
 
 
 

MAGAN RANCHHOD

  • 21 years of committed service.

  • Magan began his long association with NZISA as a delegate for the Pukekohe Indian Sports Club in the late 1960s.

  • He was elected President in1969 and served in this role for 21 years, retiring in 1989 and to this day is the longest serving President in NZISA’s history.

  • During his term as President, Magan helped advance NZISA on a number of levels. In the early 1970s he oversaw the transition to a two section competition for QBT to cater for the increase in team entries.

  • In 1974 QBT was expanded to include Women’s hockey and in the mid to late 80s soccer and netball were introduced as QBT sports. Cricket was also given his support with inter-club games and NZISA representative cricket teams being selected to play against provincial teams.

  • Magan also kept pressure on the NZ Hockey Association to recognise NZISA and this became a reality in 1974 when NZISA became an associate member. Alongside this, he continued to arrange representative games for the NZISA Men’s hockey team and in 1983 he secured the teams first international game which was against India. Two years later he saw the establishment of the first NZISA Women’s hockey team to play a provincial team.

  • Magan was awarded Life Membership in 1991.

 
 
 
 

NAGIN LALA

  • 32 years of dedicated service.

  • Nagin took on the role of NZISA Secretary in 1970 and served until 1984, a period of 14 years. He is still NZISA’s longest serving Secretary to this day.

  • Following his retirement he remained involved in NZISA as a delegate for the Auckland Indian Sports Club until the mid 2000s.

  • His time as Secretary was labour-intensive with meeting minutes and letters being handwritten and copier machines only being able to print one page at a time.

  • NZISA did not establish the role of Treasurer until 1980 therefore part of Nagin’s role was to also look after the finances of NZISA which he monitored diligently.

  • Nagin was awarded Life Membership in 1991.

 
 
 
 

JAYANTI KESHAW

  • 27 years of committed service.

  • Jayanti had served on the NZISA Executive Committee as the Auckland Indian Sports Club delegate for many years.

  • He has served as President of NZISA for 9 years (1992-2001).

  • His historical knowledge was very beneficial and his involvement invaluable in NZISA’s Jubilee year celebrations and book publication.

  • During his term as President, Jayanti initiated the U21 Men’s Representative Hockey Team, the U23 Hockey Tournament, and the Annual Cricket Tournament.

  • Jayanti also oversaw guidelines for new Clubs to affiliate to NZISA and initiated a new selection policy for players and coaches of NZISA representative teams.

  • He established a relationship with NZ Hockey lifting NZISA’s profile significantly and arranged games with the NZ Maori Hockey Federation.

  • Jayanti was awarded Life Membership in 2003.

 
 
 
 

VINOD B. PATEL

  • 28 years of valued service.

  • 1970 was the first year in which Vinod attended a NZISA Executive Meeting. Over the intervening years he has represented Waikato, Otago and Auckland Indians Sports Clubs as their delegate.

  • As an Executive Committee member, his expansive knowledge of NZISA rules and historic events has always been an asset to any Executive Committee meeting.

  • Vinod stepped up to President of NZISA in 2001 for two years (2001-2003).

  • One of Vinod’s valued contributions to NZISA has been his understanding of how to run NZISA tournaments and has successfully run the NZISA Tournament Control Office for QBT, U23 Hockey and Cricket tournaments.

  • Vinod was also part of the NZISA 50th Jubilee Committee which organised the celebratory events for the Jubilee year and was a member of the committee involved in producing the NZISA Historical Book.

  • Vinod was awarded Life Membership in 2012.

 
 
 
 

PRAVIN LALLOO

  • 24 years of dedicated service.

  • From very early on in his association with NZISA Pravin’s contribution was to be influential in shaping the NZISA of today.

  • Pravin first attended an NZISA Meeting in 1985 at the age of 22, as a delegate for the Wellington Indian Sports Club and was a consistent attendee at NZISA meetings until 2011.

  • He was the lead member of the 1995 Constitution Review Committee, and drafted the original NZISA Judicial guidelines.

  • From 2003-2006 Pravin held the office of NZISA President.

  • Since 2008 Pravin has utilised all of his organisational skills to lead the team involved in producing the NZISA Historical Book.

  • Pravin was awarded Life Membership in 2012.

 
 
 
 

HANSA PARBHU

  • 22 years of dedicated service.

  • Hansa has contributed to NZISA in a variety of roles. In 1989 she took on the role of Treasurer, a position she held for 13 years (1989-2002). During this time she modernised the financial management of NZISA

  • Was a member of the 1995 Constitution Review Committee and in 2007 convened the Judicial Committee to deal with a disciplinary case.

  • When she resigned as Treasurer, Hansa remained on the Executive Committee as a delegate for the Wellington Indian Sports Club.

  • Hansa was a strong advocate for Women’s hockey within NZISA. She was a player in the first NZISA Women’s Hockey Team in 1985 and later she became a Manager and Selector of this team for several years.

  • Hansa was awarded Life Membership in 2012.

 
 
 
 

ASHOK GANDA

  • 16 years of dedicated service.

  • Ashok first became involved with NZISA in 1996 as the Christchurch Indian Sports Club delegate. It was the start of an association that saw Ashok emerge as an Executive Member whose voice others came to value, for its careful consideration, fairness and respect of other clubs situations.

  • After 11 years as an Executive Member, Ashok was elected President of NZISA in 2006 and held this position until 2012.

  • As President of NZISA, Ashok has been involved in a variety of projects. Following on from past Presidents he continued to build the foundation that encourages a greater level of participation from around the table, while keeping NZISA’s best interests at the forefront of discussions.

  • Ashok resurrected the NZISA Men’s Representative hockey programme in 2007; arranged the teams first overseas tour in 2008, including the funding needed to help reduce the costs to players; and facilitated a fixture against a touring Indian hockey team.

  • The premier event to celebrate NZISA’s 50th Jubilee, the Jubilee Awards Dinner, owes it's success to Ashok’s drive and leadership. Ashok was also heavily involved in the creation of the NZISA Historical publication.

  • Ashok was awarded Life Membership in 2012.

 
 
 

CHAN DULLABH

  • 19 years of dedicated service.

  • Chan first became involved with NZISA in 2004 as a Delegate for his home club, North Harbour Indian Sport Club, a role held for 9 years where he not only represented his club, but become involved as an active member for NZISA.

  • From 2014 Chan has been the NZISA Secretary, a role still held today. As Secretary, Chan has cemented the organisation by running the Executive to a high standard.

  • Well respected by his peers, his considered approach to all aspects of NZISA has helped propel NZISA forward, and along with ensuring all clubs and delegates voices are heard to ensure fairness amongst the vast topics covered and tournaments help.

  • Chan has been the backbone of the Executive, ensuring all meetings, events, minutes, team entries, players registrations, and all other aspects are taken care off. This is completed without fuss and in a high-level manner that NZISA has become accustomed too since Chan has taken on the Secretary’s role. This includes being involved and present at all NZISA tournaments where he is run the events tournament offices and the delegates from the supporting clubs with precision.

  • Chan was awarded Life Membership in 2023.

 
 
 

SURESH WALLABH

  • 17 years of dedicated service.

  • Suresh first became involved with NZISA in 1992 as a Representative Hockey Player, and continued to represent NZISA in future years.

  • From 2000, Suresh became involved with NZISA this time as a Delegate for his home club, Pukekohe Indian Sports Club. In 2012 Suresh took on the President’s role, which he still holds today. This commenced a new era of leadership together with Chan Dullabh as Secretary to lead and grow NZISA further.

  • Notably, Suresh has been instrumental in NZISA in all facets, but has had great influence in exposing NZISA to a higher level with Hockey NZ, which has seen their presence and support increase at our New Zealand Indian Hockey Championship (previously known as QBT/KBT).

  • In 2021, Suresh become a trustee for the New Zealand Heritage Hockey Tournament, and was instrumental in its set up, which has become a huge success amongst the differing ethnic sports teams that New Zealand has today. His influence has also grown the tournament with NZISA involvement, where both Men’s and Women’s teams have entered each year.

  • A passion for encouraging Indian youth to partake in sport has helped Suresh engage with the Indian sporting community and help grow youth involvement within NZISA, with Suresh helping to grow the Under 23 Hockey Tournament, encourage female participation at all events, and help provide the platform for youth to partake at a high level in any sport.

  • Suresh was awarded Life Membership in 2023.

 
 
 
 

Associate Members

In recognition of outstanding service, the Associate Member Award has been awarded to:

THAKOR VALLABH

  • 11 years of valued service.

  • Thakor began his association with NZISA as a player in the Men’s Representative Cricket Team in 1971.

  • He was a Wellington Indian Sports Club delegate for six years during the 1970s and again in 1983.

  • In 1980 Thakor took over the Treasurer’s role for three years (1980-1983).

  • He returned in 1989, to become President of NZISA for three years (1989-1992).

  • Instrumental in the development of rules to allow new clubs to participate in NZISA and eventually become fully fledged member clubs.

  • Thakor was awarded Associate Membership in 2012.

 
 
 
 

PATSY RANCHHOD

  • 10 years of service as NZISA Secretary (2001-2011).

  • Served with three President's at a time when NZISA meetings increased from one to two per year, one of which was over two days.

  • Applied herself to all aspects of NZISA’s events and affairs that arose outside of meetings.

  • Patsy’s professionalism and willingness to help earned her immense respect from club delegates and Presidents around the table.

  • Played an integral part in the pre-event organisation of NZISA annual tournaments and took a lead role in the tournament control office throughout the event in many years.

  • Patsy was awarded Associate Membership in 2012.

 
 
 
 

Honoured Members

In recognition of service, the Honoured Member Award has been presented to:

 
 

AUCKLAND

BHANA FAKIR - 7 years service - Delegate, Selector.

CHIMAN KESRY - 6 years service - Delegate.

CHOTTU SIMA - 11 years service - Delegate, Umpire.

DAVID DAYA - 5 years service - Delegate, Coach.

DAYAL NANU - 1 year service - First Secretary (1962-1963).

HARIVADAN BHANA - 7 years service - Delegate, Representative Player, Selector.

HUSMUKH KESHAW - 9 years service - Delegate, Coach, Representative Player, Selector.

JASMAT F. PATEL - 9 years service - Delegate, Representative Player, Manager.

MANOJ DAJI - 8 years service - Representative Player, Coach, Selector.

MORARI SOMA - 3 years service - First President (1962-1965).

NARENDRA SIMA - 4 years service - Treasurer, Delegate.

OWEN DAJI - 14 years service - Delegate, Auditor, Representative Player, Coach.

PARBHU KANJI - 6 years service - Delegate, Selector.

PETER DAJI - 11 years service - Representative Hockey Player and Captain.

PRAKASH BHANA - 12 years service - Secretary, Delegate.

RAMESH BHANA - 7 years service - Delegate.

RAMESH U. PATEL - 4 years service - Coach, Representative Player.

VASANT LALA - 4 years service - Treasurer.

BAY OF PLENTY

JAYANTI SIMA - 12 years service - Representative Cricket Player, Delegate.

DIPAK DHEDA - 10 years service - Delegate.

DIYAL DHEDA - 10 years service - Delegate, Cricket Umpire, Cricket Selector.

DR. KARANDEEP S LALL - 10 years service - Delegate.

PRAFUL MORARJI - 11 years service - Representative Cricket Organiser, Manager, Selector, Delegate.

STEPHEN BHANA - 21 years service - Delegate.

 
 
 
 

CENTRAL DISTRICTS

KANU RAVJI - 15 years service - Treasurer, Delegate.

PAUL C. PATEL - 18 years service - Delegate.

SANDEEP PATEL - 14 years service - Delegate, Subcommittees, Media Editor.

SURESH PATEL - 16 years service - Delegate, Selector.

 
 
 
 

CHRISTCHURCH

ARVIND GANDA - 7 years service - Delegate, Selector.

BALVANT BHANA - 6 years service - Representative Player, Selector.

BHIKHU BHANA - 16 years service - Delegate, Representative Player.

DEVON MENON - 6 years service - Coach, Manager, Selector, Delegate.

HERSHA BHANA - 8 years service - Delegate, Subcommittees, Event Graphic Designer.

ISHWAR GANDA - 7 years service - Representative Player, Delegate.

KANTI BUDHIA - 12 years service - Delegate, Representative Player.

RAMAN GANDA - 8 years service - Delegate.

RAMESH BHANA - 7 years service - Delegate, Selector.

 
 
 
 

PUKEKOHE

DHERU MAKAN - 15 years service - Secretary, Delegate, Representative Player, Manager, Selector.

HARSHAD PANCHIA - 10 years service - Delegate.

DR. ISHAVAR MORAR - 18 years service - Delegate, QBT Doctor.

KIRIT MAKAN - 14 years service - Treasurer, Delegate.

DR. ISHAVAR MORAR - 18 years service - Delegate, QBT Doctor.

NEVENE CHHIBA - 11 years service - Delegate.

PEMA MANGA - 15 years service - Representative Player, Selector.

UKA CHHIBA - 9 years service - Representative Cricket Player, Delegate.

 
 
 
 

WAIKATO

BHANU PATEL - 10 years service - Representative Cricket and Hockey Manager, Delegate.

JAYSHREE KESHVARA - 12 years service - Delegate.

NARANDRA PATEL - 14 years service - Delegate.

NAROTAM PUNA - 5 years service - Secretary (1963-1965), Delegate, Representative Player.

SURESH CHIMANLAL - 10 years service - Delegate.

USHA NARAN - 10 years service - Secretary, Delegate.

 
 
 
 

WELLINGTON

DEVENDRA PATEL - 6 years service - Umpire Coordinator.

GOVIND KANJI - 8 years service - President, Delegate.

HUSMUKH BHIKHA - 20 years service - Representative Player, Selector, Coach.

HUSMUKH DULLABH - 9 years service - Coach, Representative Player.

MANOJ PARBHU - 18 years service - Representative Player, Selector, Manager, Asst. Coach.

MANU PARAG - 9 years service - Secretary, Delegate, Representative Player.

MOHAN BHIKHA - 4 years service - Secretary.

NATVAR VALLABH - 8 years service - Delegate, Representative player.

RAJESH CHANNA - 10 years service - Delegate.

SURESH DAYAL - 8 years service - Delegate, Representative Player.

 
 
 
 
 

NZISA

ALEESHA UNKA - 10 years service - QBT Umpire, Umpiring Committees.