4th Carrom World Championship 2004
31st October 2004
By Arif Naqvi, Chairman, Media Commission of International Carrom Federation
The 4th World Carrom Championship, 5th to 9th October 2004 in Colombo, Sri Lanka was a significant landmark in the history of the International Carrom Federation. The championship was conducted in the prestigious Grand Oriental Hotel of Colombo, adjecent to the harbour. Excellent boarding and lodging facilities for the players and officials were provided in the same hotel. The matches were conducted in 6 disciplines of Carrom. Every match was supervised by the qualified international umpire.
Altogether 48 Carrom players, 32 men, 16 women and large number of officials from 12 countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Banglasdesh, Pakistan, Maldives, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, U.K., Italy, France and Germany participated in the championship.
While the matches in Team and Single events were conducted on league cum knock-out basis Men´s Double and Women´s Double were conducted on knock-out basis with the principle of best of three games. The high standard of the game was acknowledged by all people, who were thrilled again and again by the excellent performances of the players. However the players seemed to have great respect of the opponent and played very often defencive. Even the best players of the world found it difficult to play offensive against the junior but talented players. As a result of which only 6 slams (5 white and 1 black ) were registered during the championship.
Out of the 6 slams 2 white slams were made by India´s Kubendra Babu and one each by Fernando (Sri Lanka), Deorukhkar (India), Chamil Cooray (Sri Lanka) and one black slam by Hussain Neeshan of Maldives. The matches received wide coverage in the newspapers and TV. A meeting of the General Council of the International Carrom Federation was also held during the World Championship. It took several important decisions to promote carrom in the world.
The greatest achievement of the Championship was, in my opinion, the friendly and fair atmosphere which helped players and officials to develop personal contacts, exchange experiences and learn from each other. The greatest applause was received in the opening ceremony by a four member team of Pakistan, which has recently joined ICF and entered first time in an international Carrom tournament. The Pakistani players who used to play in their country with different rules on bigger Carrom boards and with bigger strikers, had no hesitation in playing on carrom boards approved by the ICF and according to the Official Laws of Carrom of the ICF. "We have not come here to win matches, but to see how international matches are conducted and to gather experiences.
We are now in a position to organise an international Carrom tournament in Pakistan." Mr. Aslam Khan, Secretary General of the Carrom Federation of Pakistan told me at the conclusion of the World Championship. His players were overwhelmed to see the goodwill and warm friendship showered to them by the players and officials
from India, Sri lanka and some other countries.
The greatest winner of the World Championship was as expected India, which won the titles in all six disciplines, repeating her previous successes. The title for Men´s Single was successfully defended by R.M.Shankara of India, which he had won in 2000 in New Delhi. Sandeep Deorukhkar of India came on second place leaving Kubendra Babu and Dilesh Khedekar (both India) on 3rd and 4th places.
In Women´s Single India´s Rashmi Kumari failed to retain title, which she had won in
2000 at New Delhi. Young S. Appoorva of India won the title defeating P. Nirmala in
final. Rashmi Kumari came 3rd and K. Suwarna (India) on 4th places.
Men´s Doubles was won by R.M. Shankara & Dilesh Khedekar of India, while Kubendra Babu and Sandeep Deorukhkar (India) came on 2nd place and Chamil Cooray & D.N. Fernando (Sri Lanka) on 3rd place. Bangladesh pair Hafizur Rahman & Mohamed Ali came on 4th place.
Women´s Double went to S. Apoorva & P.Nirmala of India, who defeated in final their country pair Rashmi Kumri and K.Suwarna. 3rd place went to A. Wickremasinghe and N. Wickremasinghe of Sri Lanka and 4th place to Affeefunnisha and Aishath Shazna of Maldives.
Also the teams event of men and women were won by the Indian teams. Sri Lanka came on second place in both disciplines. The third and 4th places in Men´s Team event went to Bangladesh and Maldives and in Women´s Team event to Maldives and Bangladesh.
|
Position |
Men’s Singles |
Country |
1st Set |
2nd Set |
3rd Set |
|
1st Place |
R.M. Shankara |
India |
25/12, |
25/20, |
------- |
|
2nd Place |
Sandeep Deorukhkar |
India |
|
|
|
|
3rd Place |
Kubendra Babu |
India |
25/12, |
25/04, |
------- |
|
4th Place |
Dilesh Khedekar |
India |
|
|
|
|
5th Place |
Chamil Cooray |
Sri Lanka |
25/11, |
20/25, |
25/08, |
|
6th Place |
Hussain Neesham |
Maldives |
|
|
|
|
7th Place |
D.N. Fernando |
Sri Lanka |
25/03 |
25/02, |
------- |
|
8th Place |
Viraj Fernando |
Sri Lanka |
|
|
|
|
9th Place |
Hafizur Rahman |
Bangladesh |
22/14, |
25/13, |
25/04, |
|
10th Place |
Ajith Chandrasoma |
Sri Lanka |
|
|
|
|
11th Place |
Jahangir Hussain |
Bangladesh |
14/16, |
22/14, |
16/14, |
|
12th Place |
Hussain Ali |
Maldives |
|
|
|
|
13th Place |
Karnal Abdin |
U.K. |
25/22, |
22/19, |
------ |
|
14th Place |
Ahamed Hameed |
Maldives |
|
|
|
|
15th Place |
Md. Hasan |
Bangladesh |
25/07, |
22/12, |
------ |
|
16th Place |
A.S.K.M.Suja |
U.K. |
|
|
|
|
Position |
Women’s Singles |
Country |
1st Set |
2nd Set |
3rd Set |
|
1st Place |
S. Appoorva |
India |
25/13, |
25/15, |
------- |
|
2nd Place |
P. Nirmala |
India |
|
|
|
|
3rd Place |
Rashmi Kumari |
India |
25/16, |
25/18, |
------- |
|
4th Place |
K. Suwarna |
India |
|
|
|
|
5th Place |
Aminath Nima |
Maldives |
25/22, |
25/10, |
------- |
|
6th Place |
Farzan Banu |
Bangladesh |
|
|
|
|
7th Place |
N. Wickremasinghe |
Sri Lanka |
25/24, |
25/16, |
------- |
|
8th Place |
Aishath Shazna |
Maldives |
|
|
|
|
Position |
Men’s Doubles |
Country |
1st Set |
2nd Set |
3rd Set |
|
1st Place |
R.M. Shakara & |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dilesh Khedekar |
India |
25/07, |
25/11, |
------- |
|
2nd Place |
Kubendra Babu & |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sandeep Deorukhkar |
India |
*** |
*** |
*** |
|
3rd Place |
Chamil Cooray & |
|
|
|
|
|
|
D.N. Fernando |
Sri Lanka |
25/07, |
16/25, |
25/08, |
|
4th Place |
Hafizur Rahman & |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mohamed Ali |
Bangladesh |
*** |
*** |
*** |
|
Position |
Women’s Doubles |
Country |
1st Set |
2nd Set |
3rd Set |
|
1st Place |
S. Appoorva & |
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Nirmala |
India |
25/19, |
25/02, |
------ |
|
2nd Place |
Rashmi Kumari & |
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Suwarna |
India |
*** |
*** |
*** |
|
3rd Place |
A.Wickremasinghe & |
|
|
|
|
|
|
N.Wickremasinghe |
Sri Lanka |
25/08, |
25/14, |
----- |
|
4th Place |
Affeefunisha & |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aishath Shazna |
Maldives |
*** |
*** |
*** |
|
Position |
Men’s Team Event |
Country |
|
1st Place |
R.M. Shankara |
India |
|
|
Kubendra Babu |
|
|
|
Sandeep Deorukhkar |
|
|
|
Dilesh Khedekar |
|
|
2nd Place |
Chamil Cooray |
Sri Lanka |
|
|
D.N. Fernando |
|
|
|
Ajith Chandrasoma |
|
|
|
Viraj Fernando |
|
|
3rd Place |
Hafizur Rahman |
Bangladesh |
|
|
Jahangir Hussain |
|
|
|
Md. Hasan |
|
|
|
Ali Robin |
|
|
4th Place |
Hussain Neesham |
Maldives |
|
|
Hussain Ali |
|
|
|
Ahamed Hameed |
|
|
|
Ali Niyas |
|
|
Position |
Women’s Team Event |
Country |
|
1st Place |
S. Appoorva |
India |
|
|
P. Nirmala |
|
|
|
Rashmi Kumari |
|
|
|
K. Suwarna |
|
|
2nd Place |
A.Wickremasinghe |
Sri Lanka |
|
|
N.Wickremasinghe |
|
|
|
Leela De Silva |
|
|
|
Kalyani amerasinghe |
|
|
3rd Place |
Aminath Nima |
Maldives |
|
|
Aishath Shazna |
|
|
|
Affeefunisha |
|
|
|
Aishath Fainaz |
|
|
4th Place |
Farzana Banu |
Bangladesh |
|
|
Sabina Yasmin |
|
|
|
S. Maksuda |
|
|
|
----------- |
|
It was generally recognised by all participants that the World Championship was well prepared and well organised. The President of the Carrom Federation of Sri Lanka Mr. Mervyn Jaisinghe, Organising Secretary Rohini Mathiasz and Vice President of ICF Langley Mathisz were especially thanked for their untiring and dedicated work to make the World Championship successful.
The Precise Carrom boards used for the championship were of excellent quality. For the first time the boards were appreciated by all participants. Also the wide support given by the Government of Sri lanka and many leading firms and institutions of the country was highly appreciated. The colourful ceremonies on the opening and closing days with traditional Sri Lankan music and dances delighted the participants. The presence of the Deputy Minister of Sports Hon. Sripathi Sooriaratchchi at the Opening and Closing ceremonies was also verey encouraging.
It showed that the entire government of Sri Lanka was backing the World Championship. Honourable Deputy Minister appreciated the Carrom Sport and assured support of his government in future also.
The meetings were also addressed by President of Carrom Federation of Sri Lanka Mr. Mervyn Jayasinghe, President of the ICF Mr.Krishan Sharma, Secretary General of the ICF Mr. S.K. Sharma, President of Asian Carrom Confederation & ICF Treasurer Dr. Zahir Naseer, President of European Carrom Confederation & ICF Vice President Arif Naqvi, Organising Secretary of World Championship Mrs. Rohini Mathiasz and Vice President of ICF Mr. Langely Mathiasz. They appreciated the good organisation of the World Championship and stressed on the social values of Carrom and its contribution to international brotherhood and peace. The 4th World Championship at Colombo has no doubt given impetus to the Carrom activities in the world, especially in view of the comming World Cup in India, in 2006 and the 5th World Championship in 2008.
Unfortunately the European players failed to achieve any significant success this time. The best European player in Colombo was Kernal Abedin of U.K. who came on 13th place in Men´s Single. Earlier during the 1st World Championship in October 1991 Nino Wittkatis of East Germany had secured 8th position. While Billy Stevens of USA had secured 8th position in the 2nd World Championship in 1995 and Dirk polchow Germany 16th position in the 3rd World Championship in 2000.