Reaching out through sports and family

The New Zealand Indian sports tournament has a special place in Vinesh Sima's heart.

It's not only where the former Rotorua resident gets the chance to catch up with old friends and where he has fond memories as a child watching his family play sport. But it is also where he met his wife Anita.

Sima has been a participant since 2002, but as a youngster, the 28-year-old used to watch his mum and dad take part in the event.

The tournament, in its 50th year, caters for a variety of sports: netball, football, hockey and cricket during the summer.

A lecturer at Unitec in Auckland, Sima was part of the Bay of Plenty men's A hockey team, who managed a credible fifth in this year's men's A division.

Sima told The Daily Post yesterday it was a good result considering it was the first time the team had made the A division.

Although the sport is a vital part of the event the bonding of families, culture and forging new friendships is also important.

"It's where I met my wife. It would have been in 2003 in Hamilton I think it was. It's built a lot of relationships."

Although the pair are married, Sima's wife plays for Pukekohe.

"Luckily we haven't played Pukekohe this year but in the past there's been a bit of rivalry. She's given me a bit of stick."

Sima said the great thing about the tournament was although there was plenty of competition on the field, off it there were just as many laughs.

Taking part in the event had become a family tradition for many and it was a way of reconnecting with the Indian culture.

"For me personally it's all about giving back to the Indian community. We're not only playing for the community but for our families who have brought us to where we are today.

"For us it's a fantastic opportunity to just get together as friends, obviously we are all scattered around the country and we all meet up for this one period in the year and we have such a grand time, because we grew up together."

Like Sima, New Zealand Indian Sport Association president Ashok Ganda has been involved in the tournament for about 20 years.

"From a president's perspective about six years. But my involvement in the tournament goes back to as a kid really, turning up and watching my uncles play and then playing a little bit myself."

Ganda said the two-day tournament at Smallbone Park, Ray Boord Park and Rotorua Girls' High School had been a huge success. Not just in a sporting but as community sense as well.

"It's about catching up with people that you know, playing some competitive sport, it's about family ties, it's about your cousins in the other team. Many people marry into different places and they're still playing and their kids are playing."