PALGHAR

Bail-gada shariyat, or bullock cart races, were once a common tradition across rural Maharashtra, including Palghar district. The races were banned in 2011, but in 2017, the State government enacted legislation to restart the races. However, the Bombay High Court stayed the legislation, and the Supreme Court initially declined to lift the stay, referring the matter to a larger bench. In 2021, the Supreme Court upheld the State’s legislation, thereby legalizing the races once more.

Similar games are played in Tamil Nadu, where it is known as ‘Jallikattu', also known as 'eruthazhuvuthal', and is played as part of the Pongal harvest festival. The Bail Gada shariyats of Maharashtra resemble the 'Kambala' race, held in Karnataka between November and March, which involves a pair of buffaloes tied to a plow and anchored by one person. They are made to run in parallel muddy tracks in a competition in which the fastest team wins.

While the popularity of the sport is limited in Palghar, when these race events are organized, they attract huge crowds and participants from various parts of the district.

Cricket is a popular game in the district. There are many grounds that host cricket matches often. People also come from surrounding districts such as Mumbai and Thane, as these places have less empty ground compared to Palghar. The district also has multiple local leagues that are played on an annual basis.

Basketball has been steadily gaining popularity among indigenous communities in Palghar. Individuals like Kavita Vaje from the Ma Thakar community in the remote hamlet of Pundechapada, Jawhar Taluka, now aspire to become basketball players and coaches. For many underprivileged children, the sport offers a powerful way to overcome social barriers and imagine new futures.

This growing interest has been made possible through the efforts of organizations like Hi5, founded by Mumbai-based couple Radhakrishnan and Usha Sundar, who returned from the USA to promote grassroots basketball in Maharashtra. Their four-year, multi-level program provides selected children with everything they need to train and compete. By 2018, around 40 children from indigenous communities had represented Raigad and Palghar at state-level events, with many more participating in zonal and invitational tournaments.

Football is another sport that has gained momentum in Palghar, especially after the formation of the Palghar District Football Association (PDFA) in 2014. Since then, almost every college in the district has formed its own team, participating in regular tournaments organized by the PDFA. Currently, 60 clubs and 72 teams are registered under the association. In addition to men's events, the PDFA also organizes tournaments for women and younger age groups, including U-7, U-9, and U-11 categories.

Palghar’s natural landscape, marked by its beaches, hills, and forests, makes it a hub for outdoor and adventure sports. Activities such as water sports, trekking, and rock climbing have become increasingly popular among locals and visitors alike.

The district’s coastline offers ample opportunities for water-based recreation. Beaches like Kelva, Dahanu, and Bordi host activities such as jet skiing, banana boat rides, parasailing, kayaking, and beach volleyball, catering to all age groups and levels of adventure.

Palghar’s forested hills and historic sites make it a favourite destination for trekkers. Trails around Tungareshwar, Kelva Fort, Mahim Beach, and Kamandurg Fort are especially popular, offering a mix of natural beauty and heritage exploration.

Palghar’s rocky terrain provides ideal spots for rock climbing. With appropriate training and safety gear, climbers can take on various routes while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Prithvi Shaw is an Indian cricketer born on 9 November 1999 in Virar, Maharashtra, to parents who migrated from Gaya, Bihar. Renowned as a right-handed opening batter, Shaw led India to victory in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup. He debuted for Mumbai in domestic cricket in 2017, making centuries in both his Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy debuts, a record previously matched only by Sachin Tendulkar. Shaw made his international Test debut in October 2018 at age 18, scoring a century, and became the youngest Indian to do so on Test debut. He also plays for Mumbai in domestic tournaments, and has represented Delhi Capitals and Northamptonshire. Notably, he set a national record by scoring 546 runs in a Harris Shield school match. Despite facing a doping suspension in 2019, Shaw has continually impressed in the IPL, domestic cricket, and for India, while also being acknowledged as one of the ICC’s breakout stars in 2018. His career reflects resilience and achievement, marked by both extraordinary individual feats and leadership roles across formats.

Born in Vasai on 6 October 1938, Sadanand Mohol completed his primary education at Vasai, after which he completed his secondary education at Bhave High School, Pune, and higher education at S P College. He made his Ranji debut for Maharashtra against Gujarat in 1959-60, in which he took six wickets. He was in tremendous form in the 1966-67 season, in which he took 43 wickets. He was subsequently selected in the Indian team for a tour of England in 1966-67. However, he could not play due to an injury. He was the second son of Mamasaheb Mohol and the elder brother of former MP Ashok Mohol. He passed away on 30 July 2022 in Pune due to cardiac arrest. He was 83 years old.

Shardul Narendra Thakur, born on 16 October 1991 in Palghar, is an Indian international cricketer known for his all-round skills. A right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-paced bowler, Thakur has represented Mumbai in domestic cricket and played for several Indian Premier League (IPL) teams. Over the years, he has been a part of significant cricketing milestones, including India's triumphs in the 2018 and 2023 Asia Cups.

Thakur's cricketing journey began with his first-class debut for Mumbai in November 2012 during the 2012–13 Ranji Trophy against Rajasthan in Jaipur. His breakthrough moment came during the 2015–16 Ranji Trophy final, where he played a pivotal role by taking eight wickets against Saurashtra, leading Mumbai to secure its 41st Ranji Trophy title.

In 2014, Thakur entered the IPL arena when he was signed by Kings XI Punjab at the IPL player auction ahead of the 2015 season. He made his IPL debut against Delhi Daredevils, claiming one wicket in his four overs. By March 2017, he had been acquired by Rising Pune Supergiants for the tenth season of the IPL. Around the same time, Thakur was named in India’s 16-man Test squad for the tour of the West Indies in 2016, although he did not play. In August 2017, he was named in India's limited-overs squad for the series against Sri Lanka and made his One Day International (ODI) debut on 31 August 2017.

Thakur made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut on 21 February 2018 against South Africa. The same year, he played in the 2018 Nidahas Trophy, where he delivered a standout performance against Sri Lanka, taking a career-best 4/27 and earning the Man of the Match award. He concluded the tournament with six wickets in five matches at an average of 29.33. Later in May 2018, he was named in India’s Test squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June, but did not get a chance to play. Thakur eventually made his Test debut in October 2018 against the West Indies, becoming the 294th player to represent India in Tests.

In the IPL, Thakur's contributions gained prominence over time. In 2019, he played for Chennai Super Kings and took two wickets in the IPL final, although Chennai narrowly lost the match. By 2021, he became the leading wicket-taker for Chennai, claiming 21 wickets during the season. In February 2022, he was bought by the Delhi Capitals for ₹10.75 crore at the IPL auction and played 14 matches in the season. In November 2022, he was traded to the Kolkata Knight Riders in exchange for Aman Khan ahead of the 2023 season.

Anand Mireje is an athlete from Vasai village in Palghar district. He began his athletic journey in 1998 at the St. Xavier sports tournament in Manikpur, Vasai. He gradually moved up from taluka-level events to divisional competitions in Nashik, and then to the state and national levels. Often running barefoot without spike shoes, he won several races and eventually qualified to represent India in track events at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He later participated in the 2002 Asian Games.

In 1996, he competed in the Junior Asian Games, which was his first international event. Around the same time, he met Olympic medalist Leander Paes at Priyadarshini Park in Mumbai. This meeting left a strong impression on him and motivated him to aim for the Olympics.

He later trained under coach Raju Balakrishnan in the United States. The training helped improve his performance and rankings. At the Senior Asian Championship in Japan, he finished fourth. He also broke Milkha Singh’s 200m record by completing the race in 21 seconds. After that, he competed in several international events and won medals.

Although he did not win an Olympic medal, his achievements earned him jobs with Indian Railways and later Tata Industries, giving him recognition and financial stability. To this day, he keeps his medals and race numbers as memories of his journey.

The Palghar Sports Association (PSA) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the promotion of sports, fitness, and fellowship among individuals, families, schools, institutions, and corporate bodies. Governed by an elected body, PSA actively fosters athletic talent through regular camps where potential is identified, and participants undergo rigorous training to develop into champions. The association also provides its infrastructure to schools and colleges, supporting sports activities and hosting various competitions to encourage a culture of physical activity and excellence in sports.

Placed centrally in Palghar city, the Palghar Dahanu Taluka Sports Association (PDTSA) was established in 1996. In addition to having a well-maintained cricket and football ground where matches are held regularly, PDTSA also has a Fitness and Conditioning zone, an equipment store, and a great team of coaches. It is also associated with the Mumbai Cricket Association.