New Zealand Muslim Sports Association

Sports associations

Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

About New Zealand Muslim Sports Association

Established On : 1993

New Zealand Muslim Sports Association Inc. (NZMSA) is a community based, non-profit organisation based in Auckland, New Zealand. The association was established in early 1990’s with a vision to provide physical activities to Muslim youths, while building Islamic character through sports, mainly soccer. The association has grown since inception and now caters for New Zealand Muslim community which is made of different ethnicities and background. NZMSA works closely with Federation of Islamic Association of New Zealand (FIANZ) , Fanca Sports Federation (FANCA) and local mosques by providing Dawah activities to awaken and instil the spirit of Islam.The online platform was first launched in 2011 while the association was in the able hands of an interim administration comprising of Life Members. The induction of this medium was a result of their strategic assessment and planning to restructure the internal management and operations of the association. They had envisaged to leverage the associations status and standing in for sports development for Muslim community in New Zealand while employing the Islamic principles. Foremost attention was given on transparency, accountability and productivity in serving the affiliated clubs, members, officials and players. The website aimed to present a clear presentation of association’s events; progress reports and a tool for improving player registration and transfers while eliminating obvious loopholes and bring proficiency in the general operations. A new benchmark was set by concentrating more on core objectives to bring quality recreational sports for the Muslim community.The year was 1993, the month October and the venue Bill Mckinlay Park when some brothers set on a journey that culminated the birth of New Zealand Muslim Youth and Sports Association and an addition to the list of registered Muslim associations with the Register of Incorporated Societies.
My memories takes me back to 1993 Champion of Champions (CoC) tournament hosted by Auckland Muslim Soccer Boys (AMSB), or the Papatoetoe team. This competition was popular and always attracted good turnouts.We had casually discussed the formation of a Muslim sports association in New Zealand on many occasions but nothing eventuated for sometime. However it had to happen and the real breakthrough came when Br Sheik Asad Ali of Avonadale approached Br Sher Jawan and me during the CoC tournament and said in the language that is best spoken and understood by Indo Fijians, “Aapan to banae liya ham log ke kab bani”. Meaning AMSB and NZ Fiji AFC had already been incorporated and when would a registered organisation for Muslim Sports be formed. Call it envy or a compliment, his intentions must have been pure as I still remember Br Sher Jawan confiding with me on the issue on the same day. We immediately decided it was time to move.
We were in recess waiting for the CoC finals and I distinctly remember when I went on the PA and summoned brothers Farouk Khan, Shafiq Sahib, Ricky Kalam, Hazrat Ali, Sher Jawan, Sheik Asad Ali, Nasif Mohammed, Imtiaz Ali, Nur Ahmad, Mohammed Aiyub (Lalla) now in Melbourne and Mohammed Taiyab to the Control Room. On this day we only had some preliminary discussions and decided to meet at Br Farouk’s Mt Wellington home the following Wednesday.
The Wednesday meeting gave us a wealth of hope. We were confident that day was not far when we would have a Muslim Sports Association in New Zealand. We formed an interim committee comprising of Brothers Farouk Khan as President, Azeem as Secretary, and Nasif as Treasurer. Other members formed were appointed part of the working committee. Few other members were also co-opted in the team. They included brothers Faiyaz Khan JP, Abdul Saheed and Ibrahim (now in Australia). It was exciting; we were on a mission looking at Constitutions, talking to community elders and holding progress meetings in masajids, centres and members’ lounges and garages.
Alhamdollilah, we had the support of the community and one person who guided us most was Marhoom Abdul Raheem Rasheed a keen soccer personality with special interest in youth activities. While we were contemplating on sports only, he suggested we include ‘youth’ in the name of the organisation as well. After much thought and discussions we agreed to reserve the name, New Muslim Youth & Sports Association with the Registrar of Incorporated Societies. This was immediately accepted. Another personality who worked tirelessly with the Committee was Marhoom Lateef Shah a well known soccer administrator and Life Member of Fiji Football Association (FFA). As a sitting member of Federation of Islamic Associations (FIANZ) then, he provided us with much anticipated guidance and support. He was instrumental in building our network with FIANZ and secure their support as well.At that stage the only stumbling block between us and the Registrar’s office was a Constitution. Fortunately we had copy of the Constitution of Fiji Muslims Sports Association and we knew it could work here. Based on this document, we tailor made a Constitution for our purpose. It involved hours of hard work, late nights, meetings and mashwaras. But it all paid off and in June 1994 the New Zealand Muslim Youth and Sports Association was formally incorporated. A milestone for New Zealand Muslims and a sigh of relief for the Interim Committee.