ZAC Chicago Announces Early Bird Registration to open Jan. 25, 2016
(Z Games 2016) will officially open this Monday, Jan. 25; the four-day, six-sport, intensely competitive event takes place June 30 to July 4, on the campus of Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois, approximately 25 minutes from downtown Chicago.
Promoting sportsmanship, unity and togetherness, Z Games is an iconic Zoroastrian sporting and cultural tradition. Z Games 2016 will attract amateur Zoroastrian athletes from around the world and features competitive tournament brackets in basketball, volleyball, swimming, track, tennis, table tennis, and a new surprise event: golf!
“We look forward to welcoming new and returning Z Games athletes, fans and supporters to the beautiful city of Chicago for what promises to be an unforgettable four days of camaraderie and intense competition,” said Eric Elavia, who leads the Z Games 2016 operating team. “Our group has worked hard with the ZSC to put together a high-quality sporting and cultural experience for what can easily be considered one of the Zoroastrian community’s marquee international events.”
Opening ceremonies on July 1 will mark the official launch of the Games, and will spotlight a parade of athletes, states and nations, as well a lighting of the torch. Closing ceremonies on July 4 will recognize athletes, medal winners, donors and an army of volunteer organizers. Three evening events will spotlight Chicago’s diversity in food, entertainment and nightlife as a world-class destination city: A Rendezvous @ Reza’s, The Chicago Experience, and an exciting red-carpet gala banquet: Chicago’s Contributions to the World.
“For more than 28 years, ZSC has been bringing together athletes, sports fans, and other members of the Zoroastrian community from across the globe. We’re proud to be working with the organizing team in Chicago and look forward to another successful event this year,” said Dr. Niaz Kasravi (http://www.zathletics.com/zsc_committee.html), President of the Zoroastrian Sports Committee.
Z Games 2016 is open to any and all interested Zoroastrian athletes and their families. The first Z Games event was held in Los Angeles in 1988, and today the Games are considered to be ZSC’s largest sporting event, attracting athletic and fan participation from the United States, Canada, India, Iran, European Union and other countries around the world. The Games are held each alternating July 4 weekend during even years.
Zoroastrians have long-served as effective bridge builders in interfaith dialogue as they see from their own faith, traditions of truth, righteousness, charity, beneficence and respect for creation reflected in traditions of the religions of both the occident and the orient. Zoroastrianism, founded circa 1500 BCE, is credited to be one of the oldest monotheistic religion, influencing post-exilic Judaism, which adopted some Zoroastrian beliefs such as the ultimate victory of good over evil and the resurrection of souls. These percepts were then transmitted through Judaism to Christianity, and later to Islam. Zoroastrianism flourished as the imperial religion of three Persian empires, those of the Achaemenians, Parthians and Sassanians, and was the dominant religion from Turkey, and eastward to China during those times. North America’s Zoroastrian community includes those who arrived from the Indian subcontinent, known as Parsis, and those who came directly from Iran seeking religious freedom.
About Zoroastrian Association of Chicago
Z Games 2016 is being managed and organized by the Zoroastrian Association of Chicago (http://www.zac-chicago.org/) (ZAC) in conjunction with the Zoroastrian Sports Committee (ZSC). Founded in 1975, ZAC has been serving the spiritual, cultural and social needs of Zoroastrians in greater Chicago, and is a beacon for Zoroastrians in the Midwest United States and beyond. Located in Burr Ridge, IL, ZAC has been a pioneer association for the growth, perpetuation and flourishing of Zoroastrianism in the United States.
About Zoroastrian Sports Committee (ZSC)
Established in 1988 and conceived by enthusiastic youth at a wedding celebration, the Zoroastrian Sports Committee (ZSC) is the official sports arm of FEZANA, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America. ZSC has grown to become the biggest Zoroastrian organization dedicated to promoting sports and sportsmanship among Zoroastrian youth worldwide. Our goal is to promote unity and friendly competition and encourage healthier living by making sports a routine part of life. Visit the ZSC at www.zathletics.com.
About FEZANA
Founded in 1987, FEZANA serves as the coordinating body for 25 Zoroastrian member associations throughout the United States and Canada. FEZANA promotes the study, understanding and practice of the Zoroastrian faith in North America. FEZANA represents the interests of its member associations, and carries out philanthropic and charitable activities worldwide. FEZANA Journal, FEZANA’s publication of record, circulates to Zoroastrian households in more than 22 countries, as well as to scholars, academicians and religious organizations worldwide. www.fezana.org
Z Games 2016 Website
Z Games 2016 media contact:
Jim Engineer
Mobile: 630.728.1387
jim.engineer@e-rainmaker.com
