Sport was always a passion for me: Jafferbhai Mansuri

Jafferbhai Gulam Mansuri, a name which has slowly in the past 40 years evolved into a brand. The journey which started with a small restaurant at Grant Road in 1973, has now culminated in a chain restaurants which are sufficing taste buds everywhere in the city.
Rightly touted as ‘The Biryani King’ of Mumbai, Jafferbhai’s Delhi Darbar is a glorious exhibition of the immaculate skills, perseverance and a deep lying love for food within the legendary Jafferbhai Mansuri, a man who has managed to truly reflect himself in his creation.
Still the only restaurateur who can prepare all the dishes on his menu, Jafferbhai has made sure his skills have trickled down to his children and cooks alike, allowing no fluctuations in the luring taste which has taken many a Mumbaikars by its sway.
Recently, Jafferbhai seems to have opened doors to some of his other passions, which seem to reside outside the kitchen. Many found it a mismatch of sorts when Jafferbhai’s Delhi Darbar was announced as the title sponsors for the Colaba Super League, one of the city’s most promising and exciting football leagues which aims at uplifting the footballing fortunes of the Colabaites.
While it’s tough to co-relate the royalty of a Biryani to the rather rugged nature of football, the key to achieving fineness in both requires somewhat similar skill sets. Deadly Accuracy and timing, coupled with relentless efforts driven by a burning desire and passion.
A cricketer, a basketball player and also an avid footballer, Jafferbhai Mansuri’s journey to greatness may well have its roots on the sports field. Much before his culinary skills took over his time, Jafferbhai spent much of his time, sharpening the athlete in him on the various sports grounds of Mumbai.
“I was a regular at Cooperage. I remember playing many matches in front of huge crowds there and it was highly pleasurable experience for me”, said a nostalgic Jafferbhai Mansuri after seeing some of Colaba’s finesh footballers on show, when he graced the Colaba Super League event with his presence, earlier this month.
Being in the restaurant industry for over fifty years, Jafferbhai has developed an almost unmatchable sense of judgement of selecting the best raw materials for his dishes. He believes the same level of selection is necessary to create the best sportsmen in the country and he believes that leagues, such as the CSL gives both the players and the selectors a great platform.
“I go and select the best cuts of meat and the ingredients which will make my Biryani the best. Similarly it’s important, the sports authorities of this country game the same chance. It (Colaba Super League) also gives the players a chance to be one of the best among the rest”.
Jafferbhai believes his passion for sports has drove him to sponsoring this league and feels it will be wonderful that his efforts will encourage the youngsters to achieve great things in life. “Sport was always a passion for me, so I had no doubts in my mind when such a great initiative came to me. We want to encourage these footballers by giving them this platform to achieve great things in life”.
Krishna Pawle, the President of the Colaba Super League hailed the legendary Jafferbhai and lauded the perfectionist in him. “Jafferbhai is a perfectionist; he has history of serving the best biryani for years. For a young league like us, it’s great to have his support and he serves as an inspiration for all of us”.
From sports to biryani and back to sports, Jafferbhai is an institution when it comes to pursuing passions. With his eyes sporting a spark which seeks opportunities to work his passion, CSL gives him a route back to his old passionate days as a sportsman. On the other hand, Jafferbhai Mansuri not just powers the CSL with funds, but also with a blueprint of creating success out of virtually nothing.
So for Jafferbhai Mansuri, this is indeed a match made in heaven, or to aptly put it, a match made in his own kitchen.
MFA Super League: Group standings, October fixtures are out
October fixtures for MFA Super League are out. Check out the current group standings and brace yourself for thrilling clashes with the new fixtures. As the echoes of thrilling September…
St. Patrick’s High School, Jharkhand defend their Junior (U 17) Girls Subroto Cup title
New Delhi, September 26, 2023: St. Patrick’s High School, Gumla, Jharkhand defended their title in the 62nd Subroto Cup Junior (U 17) Girls Inter School International Football Tournament defeating G.S.S.S Alakhpura,…
Mumbai City FC shifts AFC Champions League home fixture against Al Hilal to Navi Mumbai
Mumbai City FC recently announced the relocation of their group stage home fixture against Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal from Pune to Navi Mumbai’s Dr DY Patil stadium. This strategic…
Igor Stimac names 26 probables for Merdeka Cup 2023
Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach Igor Stimac, on Friday, September 29, 2023, named a list of 26 probables for the Merdeka Cup 2023, to be played in Malaysia from…
We need to play as a cohesive unit against Saudi Arabia, says Sunil Chhetri
NEW DELHI: Sunil Chhetri is aware of the problems the India Men’s team are facing during their current Asian Games campaign in Hangzhou. He is also conscious of India’s dismal track…
Bengaluru FC take on in-form Mohun Bagan SG with scores to settle from 2022-23 final
Bengaluru FC will travel to Kolkata to square off against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant in a repeat of the final of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 at the…
Indian team for AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers announced
A 14-member Indian Men’s National futsal squad was announced on Sunday, October 1, 2023, for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers in Tajikistan, in which India will be participating…
Hugo heroics help Mohun Bagan SG nudge past 9-man Bengaluru FC
Mohun Bagan SG rode on goal from Hugo Boumous to beat Bengaluru FC by a slender 1-0 margin in a grueling contest at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata The…
FC Goa fans eagerly await a season of resurgence and victory in ISL
Goa, September 26, 2023: With the anticipation of the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season growing stronger, FC Goa’s ardent fans have voiced their excitement and expectations for the club’s…
Om Saidham SM secure convincing victory over Soccer Saga SA
26th September 2023, Neville D’souza Ground – In a thrilling MFA Super League encounter, Om Saidham SM emerged victorious with a commanding 4-1 win over Soccer Saga SA. The match…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…