Mumbai: Among the city’s community-based organisations, the Jai Hind Sports Club stands out as a unique institution exclusively dedicated to sports. With a rich legacy of over 80 years, the club of the Moya (Bovi) community from the coastal districts has played a vital role in nurturing sporting talent and producing achievers at state, national and international levels.
The 59th R. N. Utchil Memorial Athletics Meet was successfully held on 21.12.2025 at the Karnataka Sporting Association Ground, Churchgate. The meet witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 300 athletes, including many young talents and attracted hundreds of sports enthusiasts, creating a vibrant and inspiring sporting atmosphere.
The programme began with a welcome address by Ms. Divya Udyawar, followed by the opening ceremony performed by K. K. Battapadi. The meet was formally declared open by Narayan B. Udyawar. A two-minute silence was observed in memory of Late Surendra B. Uchil.
The athletics meet featured a wide range of events including track races across age groups, javelin throw (below 15 years), long jump, shot put for men and women, and 200 m and 400 m walk events. Fun events such as Chocolate Race, Aiming the Ball, Lemon and Spoon Race, Rolling a Cycle Tyre with a Stick, and Balancing the Plate on the Head (Women) added excitement, especially for children and families.
The Inter-Kutumba Relay Race was contested by six Kutumbas—Atingeremoyar,Erodimoyar, Karpatkiryamoyar, Bayekaremoyar, Ulladmoyar, and Cherupmoyar—with Bayekaremoyar emerging winners and Erodimoyar finishing runners-up.
For the first time, an Inter-Kutumba Tug of War (Men) was organised. Ulladmoyar Kutumba emerged champions after defeating Atingeremoyar in the final. In the Women’s Tug of War, teams were divided into Central and Western groups, with the Central Team winning the contest.
The final event was a football match between Central and Western teams, in which the Western Team registered a convincing 3–0 victory.
Narayan B. Udyawar felicitated two outstanding young athletes: Ayaan Mangesh Someshwar, a talented football goalkeeper who represented Mumbai District Under-19 (2024) and played a key role in JSC’s victories in the 27th Ramnath Payyade League Tournament (2024–25) and the 18th A. R. Kudroli Memorial Knockout Football Tournament 2025 and Kavin Pradeep Udyawar, who won gold medals in Decathlon (U-20) at the Maharashtra State Meet, Pune, and the Mumbai University Zonal Meet, and a silver medal at the Inter-Zonal Meet, Ratnagiri. He will represent Maharashtra at the national level.
Championship Trophies were awarded as follows:
- Pawan Venkatraman Vittal Memorial Trophy – Champion Girl (Below 9): Gargi Kasargod
- Pawan Venkatraman Vittal Memorial Trophy – Champion Boy (Below 9): Yashil D. Udyawar
- Vasant Uchil Memorial Trophy – Champion Girl (Below 15): Aria R. Uchil
- Anand Ambu Udyawar Memorial Trophy – Champion Boy (18–25): Kavin P. Udyawar
- R. N. Utchil Memorial Trophy – Best Sportsperson of the Year: Aryan D. Udyawar
The Champion Kutumba of the Year 2025 title was won by Karpatkiryamoyar Kutumba with 113 points, while Erodimoyar Kutumba finished runners-up with 94 points. The trophy was presented by Chandrakant S. Uchil to Mrs. Sandya S. Ail, senior lady member of the winning Kutumba.
Prizes and certificates were distributed by several dignitaries including Yashwant A. Kundrikad, Harish Udyawar, Pramod S. Uchil, Chandrakant S. Uchil, K. K. Battapadi, Uday K. Ail, Shailraj S. Uchil, Mrs. Shakuntala S. Uchil, Raja R. Utchil, Treasurer Niranjan Uchil and General Secretary Darshan Battapadi.
Treasurer Niranjan Uchil delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating the discipline, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship of the participants and the strong support of the audience. With participation from over 275 Moyars, the meet reflected the spirit of a grand family gathering.
The event’s success was made possible through the dedicated efforts of Jai Hind Sports Club President Satish N. Utchil, Joint Secretary Gurudatt S. Utchil, committee members Shailraj S. Utchil, Nitin S. Utchil, Narayan Udyawar, Surendra N. Utchil, Ms. Disha J. Utchil, Uday K. Ail, Ashok K. Utchil, Praful G. Utchil, C. K. Udyawar, Jayant S. Utchil and Pramod S. Utchil and was efficiently conducted under the leadership of General Secretary Darshan Battapadi.
By: Ishwar M. Ail
