The Maharashtra School Sports Association comes into being

by Nikhil Ghosh August 27, 2015

The “Mumbai Schools Sports Association” a Sports promoting body. The association which was started with the Tata Athletic Shield (1893) donated by the House of Tata’s was formerly known as The Bombay High Schools Athletic Association, is now known as Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA).

Every year around 400 schools participate in its tournaments. It is 122 years old and is one of the oldest associations of its kind in the world. This is also the only association of its kind in the whole of Asia which organises and conducts tournaments in 20 games and disciplines of sports from the grass root level such as Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Carrom, Chess, Cricket, Football, Handball, Hockey, Gymnastics, Martial Arts (Judo), Indian Games (Kabaddi, Kho-Kho), Tennis, Squash, Table-Tennis, Throwball and Volleyball. These tournaments are conducted from the tender age of 8 to 16 years, and around 60 thousand students from Std. 1 to Std. 10 participate in the competitions annually.

The tournaments are conducted in the Mumbai City and its Suburbs, thus covering two districts. An opportunity was given for the neighbouring district namely Thane in the earlier years to participate in M.S.S.A. tournaments.

Now there is a growing demand from neighboring districts namely Thane, Palghar and Raigad to allow them to participate in M.S.SA. tournaments.

Hence the birth and formation of “Maharashtra Schools Sports Association” (M.S.S.A.) under the aegis,i.e., the protection, backing and support of Mumbai Schools Sports Association. A dream come true for our state school children. This body will work under Mumbai Schools Sports Association for 3years and later it will be autonomous. Till then Mumbai Schools Sports Association will support it with Financial Assistance and space for office.

Each district will send two of its representative to the State body as mentioned above. From amongst them there will be election to choose the Office Bearers and Committee Members. One President, Two Vice Presidents, One Treasurer, One Gen. Secretary and One Jt. Secretary and there will be 10 Committee Members.

The Constitution is drafted. Within few days we will file for registration under Society Registration Act, 1860 and Public Trust Act, 1950.

An Ad Hoc Committee is formed for one year only with exceptional rule that Mumbai Schools Sports Association Committee will be on board for time being headed by Rev. Fr. Jude Rodrigues as its President.

For the present “Maharashtra Schools Sports Association” has appointed Mr. R. S. Ahiwale (Executive Committee Member of MSSA) as C.E.O. and Mr. Shivaji Patil to assist him who is our honourary member on honourary basis.