WHP Jewellers scores on employee engagement with its 25th annual team cricket championship  

The tournament has grown from a competition among two retail stores into an event featuring 20 teams and 280 employees 

Mumbai: Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers recently concluded the 25th edition of its annual inter-branch cricket championship, a long-standing tradition that has grown significantly over the years and helped build team spirit. The event, first initiated in 2000 by Tushar Pethe, Partner, Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers, has transformed from a small-scale competition among two retail stores into a grand tournament featuring 20 teams and 280 employees. 

This year’s tournament was a two-day affair, with the preliminary matches held at Shivaji Park on January 13, followed by the finals at the Police Gymkhana at Marine Lines on January 27. The championship has evolved from being hosted at Azad Maidan in its early years to now taking place at some of Mumbai’s well-known cricket venues. 

Reflecting on the journey of the championship, Tushar Pethe shared, “When we started, we had just two branches. Now, with 29 branches, the participation has grown significantly. The enthusiasm among employees is immense, with many teams even hiring coaches to train for the tournament.” 

Employees eagerly anticipate the competition, often beginning their preparations right after Diwali once the official announcement is made. According to Pethe, this tournament not only fosters a competitive spirit but also strengthens camaraderie among employees across different branches. 

The winning team of this year’s championship was awarded a cash prize of Rs 20,000, while the runner-up received Rs 15,000. Individual awards were also presented, including Rs 5,000 for the Man of the Series, Rs 3,000 each for the best batsman and best bowler, and Rs 1,000 for the Man of the Match in each round. 

In addition to the cash prizes, trophies were awarded to the winners and runners-up. In celebration of the tournament’s silver jubilee, a special silver medal was presented to the winning team, and all participating teams received silver coins as tokens of appreciation.

While the tournament remains an internal event, it has also become a point of interest for customers. Winning team photos and trophies are displayed in the stores, sparking conversations with customers who appreciate the company’s dedication to employee engagement. “Customers often ask about the trophies on display, and when they learn about our inter-branch cricket matches, they admire that we do something special for our employees,” Pethe noted.

Currently, the cricket tournament is only for male employees; however, plans are under way to introduce a similar event for female employees in future. “We are exploring ways to include women in this sporting tradition and hope to implement it, possibly in the next year,” Pethe confirmed. 

For 25 years, the Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers inter-branch cricket championship has been a celebration of teamwork, passion and company culture. With growing participation, it remains a tradition that the jeweller cherishes year after year. 

Written by Aparna Bhowmick 

Retail Jeweller India Exclusive