Islam Gymkhana came into existence in 1890, Lord Harris, the then Governor allotted the Islam Gymkhana grounds on the Kennedy Sea Face which is popularly known as Marine Drive and now Netaji Subhas Road.
The Annual Inter-Gymkhana Cricket fixtures were known as "Triangular" which was played by Bombay Gymkhana, Parsi Gymkhana and Hindu Gymkhana. In 1912 Islam Gymkhana came on the sceno to make this tournament "Quadrangular" which was recognized as the premier annual cricket event in maia and was enjoying the same status as the Test Match of today, In 1937 the Catholic Gymkhana joined, which was known as the "Rest" and then this tournament became "Pentangular.
Islam Gymkhana was founded under the Presidentship of the Honourable Mr. Kazi Shahabuddin C.I.E. The original Pavilion of Islam Gymkhana was designed by Mr. Ibrahim Ahmedi a leading architect n those days who also designed the beautiful Anjuman-l-Islam High School at Bombay. The existing Favillon was designed by the famous architect of our country Mr. L.M.Kadri which has been a landmark on Marine Drive.
PRESIDENTS
>> 1892-1893 Honourable Mr. Kazi Shahabuddin C.I.E.
>> 1894-1895 Honourable Mr. Justice Badruddin Tyabji
>> 1906-1942 Sir Ibrahim Rahimtoola
>> 1942-1954 Janab Abubhai Jasdanwalla
There after there were Mr. S.M.Khatkhatay, Mr. Ismail Kanga, Mr. E.T.Kanthawala Mr. F.A.Jas- danwalla, Mr. K.C.Kasam, Mr. H.H.Nakhuda, Mr. A.F.Vakil (present Chairman of the Centenary Commit- tee) and Mr. N.F.Kanchwalla (now in the office)
Many of the famous Muslims in the Quardrangular have left their mark in International Cricket. The names of Wazir Ali, Nazir Ali, Nissar, Tambawala, Abdus Salam, Amir Elahi, Murad, Botawalla and Mushtaq Ali and late Nawab of Pataudi are a few names
It is a well-known fact that the 3 Gymkhanas on Marine Drive that is todays Netaji Subhas Road, were responsible for sporting activities of this great metropolis. The beginning was made by the Parsi Gymkhana followed by the Islam Gymkhana and the Hindu Gymkhana. These Gymkhana were respon- sible for promoting the game of cricket which has gripped the interest of the entire nation. These Gymkhanas originally founded the Bombay Cricket Association, which is today the Parent Body.
The headquarters of the Bombay Cricket Association was located in our Gymkhana premises till it ultimately shifted to the Cricket Club of India in 1942. Islam Gymkhana even today is the headquarters of the Maharashtra State Billiards Association.
Our membership is open to all the communities and we are proud to have leading personalities from different branches of sports as our Hon. life members. To name a few Mr. Wilson Jones, Mr. Geet Sethi, Mr. O.B. agarwal, Mr. Sunil Gavaskar, Mr. Mohd. Azharuddin, Mr. Zeeshanali.