- Firoz Bhamji
- Bhamji jnr.
- 18/9/1942
- 12 Grade
- Ak Boys
- Dar es Salaam
- Cricketer
- Machinist
- Dairy Farmer
- Partners
Firoz Jina or (Bhamji Jnr.as he was known for most of his life) had a remarkable start to his working life – unlike many of his colleagues who either went on to join their parents’ shops or other establishments - even before completing his secondary education in 1962, Firoz and his elder brother Badru started a dairy farm at the Mtoni area of Dar es Salaam supplying fresh milk to city residents.
Being hard working, in 1964, they then established Bhamji Farms on Morogoro Road which grew over the years into a large outfit that supplied over 10,000 eggs together with 700 pints of milk in the morning and 500 pints in the afternoon every day and also included an 80,000-tree cashew farm.
The name Bamji was coined based on his brother name, Badru Mohamedali Jina, shorted as “Bha..m..ji.” In 1966, Firoz married his wife, Dilshad Gulamhussein Haji, (of Haji Bros of Dar es Salaam) and switched work to join Delta affiliated to Tanganyika Motors, a well-known local car dealership, as a parts manager, a job he held until he left for Canada in 1970.
Once in Canada, he trained as a machinist in Calgary and worked for the same company for the next 27 years.
But Firoz’s life is remarkable for another admirable reason- he was one of Tanzania’s foremost cricketers and has represented that country and his new homeland, Canada on their national cricket teams many times.
Firoz was glued to cricket from early childhood and started playing for the AK Boys School from 1957. By 1962, he was the captain and won the prestigious Isherwood Cup for them with his teammates, Mohamed Abuali & Allu Visram. In 1963 he stared playing for the AK Club and shared pitch with the likes of the legendary brothers Hasnu & Gulu Kalyan. By 1966, he was on the Tanzania National team as an all-rounder batsman, playing against Zambia, Kenya and Uganda as well as Hyderabad. Here is was playing with Tanzanian legends like RD & CD Patel; John Solanki and of course, his equally famous brother, Badru Bhamji - he remembers Pranlal Divecha; Nazir Hussein ;Alba Fernandes, Vasant Tabu and many others. Firoz travelled extensively to play and in 1970, went to Karachi. In Canada, in 1973, Firoz was selected on the Calgary South team and was honoured as the best all-rounder for the Intercity games. Between 1970 and 1978, he represented the Canada in matches with the US, Kent, and West Indies.
He also captained the Calgary AK teams to two wins as Alberta Champions. Bhamji Jnr never smoked nor consumed alcohol in his life-not even when his Canadian team’s win was toasted in champagne. He never needed to…. he says cricket was his “nasho” intoxication.
Firoz lives in comfortable retirement with his large family in Calgary. His one daughter is a lawyer and the other kinesiologist. He has five grandchildren.
Firoz Bhamji Photo Album
AK BOYS SCHOOL, Dsm Tanzania (1957-1961)
- AK Boys School Prefects 1962 - Centre: Firoz Bhamji, Head Prefect
- 1960 AK School Cricket Team - Standing from Left: Raza Kara; Nurdin Dhanji; S. M. Abdulla; M Habib; N Dhanani; Dinu Bhatia; Firoz Bhamji; Raza Kara's co-captain - Sitting Shiraz P Haji; M Pandya; N.R. Manji; Firoz Gowa; S J Abdulla; Firoz Murji.
- 1960 AK School Cricket Team - Standing from Left: Raza Kara; Peers N Manji; Firoz Gova;Firoz Bhamji;S. Abdulla;A.M.Abdulla;M. Pansy. Seated: M. Habib; Mr. Maundril Teacher;Nizar Dhanani; Mr. Khanga, Teacher;??
- Various Sports Cups- Firoz Bhamji as best all-rounder in cricket
- Firoz Bhamji-Best all-rounder player, Isherhood Cup Champions 1962
- AK School, Kampala vs AK Boys Dar Boxing Match
- Firoz Bhamji with great cricketer John Solanki at school
- Firoz Bhamji receiving Isherwood Cup from Govt. Minister Alnoor Kassam in 1962
- 1962 Isherwood Cup won by AK School against Lindi School. Firoz Bhamjj as a top all rounder is being lifted by one of the cricketers. John Solanky was a batsmen also lifted by another cricketer.
- Firoz Bhamji receiving the cup from Brig. Mrisho Sarakikya, head of the Tanzania Army in Dares Salaam
- Firoz Bhamji- Most Outstanding Sportsman, AK Boys School 1962
- Firoz Bhamji won in cricket, NR Manji in soccer, Alu Visram in volleyball. The rest are various sports won by each person.
- Firoz Bhamji, Alu Visram and Azad Jina - 3-Aside Volleyball champions for 7 years.
AK CLUB, Dsm Tanzania (1961-1971)
- AgaKhan X1 DSM sitting left to right. Jamalu Nanji; Hasnu Kalyan; Badru Bhamji; (CAPT) Firoz Bhamji; Sadru A.G.Abdulhussein-Standing left to right Mohamed Abuali; Firoz Gowa; Dinu Bhatia; Alu Visram; Shamshu Alidina; S. Abdullah
- Firoz Bhamji batting against Upanga Sports Team
- Ismailis vs Non-Ismails- Firoz Bhamji batting RD Patel Wicket keeper.
- Aga Khan Cricket Team.- Firoz Bhamji batting & Pranlal fielding
Tanzania National team (1967-1971)
- Tanzania 1X National Cricket Team - Firoz Bhamji in the middle with Lutuf Bhatia and Kurban Bhaloo.
- One of Tanzania Govt Ministers shaking hands with Firoz and the Tanzania 1X National Cricket Team
Tribute to Dar es Salaam's cricket fraternity.
Canadian & Alberta National Teams (1971-)
- Firoz Bhamji top batsman in Canada in 1978
- Firoz Bhamji with his wife, Dilshad and Badru Bhamji with his wife Gulshan. Along with Vijay Manjrekar and C. Singh from Indian cricket team.
- Volleyball match between Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary. Vancouver and Calgary tied in points so both the chairmen receiving the cup.
- Firoz Bhamji MVP Alberta Provincial Cricket Team
- Alberta Provincial cricket team. Firoz Bhamji was the only Ismail cricket player at that time