Foreign Slicers here for 2 Int’l Carrom C’ships

Richard DWIGHT

The winning of the World Carrom Championship by Sri Lanka early this year, was indeed a shot in the arm, a strength to the elbow as it were for the game of carrom here. All this and more did much for the uplift of carrom, that did go to make the right kind of impression for the governing bodies of the International Carrom Federation (ICF) and SAARC, to collaborate with the Carrom Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) to hold two prestigious carrom tournaments during the month of October here in the island.

The two major tournaments which are international in outlook, will be the 12th SAARC Carrom Championship from the 11th to 13th October and the 5th ICF Carrom Championship from the 15th to 19th October, to be held at the Palm Beach Hotel, Mount Lavinia.

Both events are being organised and conducted by CFSL under the patronage of the ICF and, is celebrative in that year marks the 50th anniversary of carrom in Sri Lanka, and as well the 20th anniversary of the ICF - two significant milestones indeed, in the cause of carrom.

This information was revealed to the members of the media at a conference held last Thursday at the Fingara Town and Country Club by the President of CFSL, Mervyn Jayasinghe, who is also the Deputy Chairman of F & G Group, the sponsors of this mega happening in the game of Carrom.

Jayasinghe went onto say that the praiseworthy performance of the Sri Lanka Carrom Team on becoming World Champions was recognised and appreciated by both the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and the Minister of Sports, Gamini Lokuge, who on separate occasions felicitated the team - not forgetting as well the benevolent gesture of the Chairman Ceylinco Consolidated Group of Companies, Deshamanya, Dr. Lalith Kotelawala and Deputy Chairperson Ceylinco, Sicille Kotelawala, who tangibly expressed their appreciation by rewarding the players in a most befitting manner.

He made it known that the carrom world championships is held once in 4 years and the next will take place four years hence and, stressed that the ICF Cup Tournament which is to take place shortly, is equally prestigious and that the Sri Lankan players will have to give of their best to maintain their reputation as World Champions.

Jayasinghe concluded on a modest note by expressing his gratitude to the Minister of Sports and the official thereof for their support and assistance at all times and, not forgetting to add that were it not for their timely backing and help it would not be easy to have tournaments of this magnitude and nature.

Langley Mathiasz is the doyen of carrom here in Sri Lanka and perhaps the most involved carrom promoter globally, being Vice President of the CFSL, Vice President of the ICF, the Secretary General of the Asian Carrom Federation and currently the Secretary of the Organising Committee of the forthcoming 12th SAARC and the 5th ICF Cup Carrom Tournaments. According to Mathiasz the SAARC Tournament will take place from 11 to 13 October, the countries taking part will be Nepal, Maldives, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This will be followed after a day’s rest by the ICF Cup Championship from 15 to 19 October, the countries participating are England, Germany, France, USA, Dubai, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The SAARC tournament will have 7 events made up of the Men’s/Women’s - singles, doubles, the mixed doubles and 2 team events, one for men and another for women. The ICF Cup will have the Men’s/Women’s singles and doubles and an operative Swiss System event. The matches will commence at 9.00 a.m. and go on till evening each day, at the Palm Beach Hotel Mt. Lavinia. Sri Lanka will be represented by Chamil Cooray, Nishantha Fernando, Germain Goonewardene, Viraj Fernando, Yashika Rawbade, Noina Wickremasinghe, Amitha Wickremasinghe and Leela de Silva.

Mathiasz was thankful to Finance and Guarantee Group for their generous sponsorship and to the Sports Ministry for releasing a sum of Rs. 500,000 for the purchase of Carrom Boards and a further sum of Rs. 500,000 for the event itself.

At the conclusion of the media briefing the General Secretary of the CFSL, Rohini Mathiasz delivered the vote of thanks.