Super Slam Carrom House: A Man Synonymous for Carrom in Malaysia

Introducing a very good friend of mine. Carrom brought us together back in 1999 and ever since, we've been good friends. Age isn't a factor because the language we speak is carrom. He's non other than Mr. Samohon Md. Kassim. Current Vice-President I of Malaysian Carrom Association (KAROMAS) and President of KaromasKL (affiliated to Malaysian Carrom Association).

In brief
He started playing carrom just as a past-time activity back in the 70s with his friends in the village which then led to his passion to go to greater heights. In the early 80s, he took part in tournaments organized by the Bell Club and MIC carnivals where he's won many titles. He also reached the quarter-finals of the Panadol carrom league (this event is meant for those who have constant headaches......just kidding.....haha) which was an invitation with top players from around Klang Valley.

Achievements
1. 1986 Wilayah Open - Semi-finalist.
2. 1987 Wilayah Open - Champion and won a prize purse of RM1,000. Highest during that time.
3. 1991 Malaysian Airlines tournament - Champion.
4. 1993 Perlis Open - Single's & Double's Champion.
5. Won several titles from various locally organized competitions within the Community.
6. 1984 - 2002 - Carrom Convener for team Malaysian Airlines (MAS).
7. 1995 - Became founding member of the present Malaysian Carrom Association where the ICF format was formally introduced in Malaysia.
8. 1995 - 2nd Carrom World Championship, Colombo, Sri Lanka as a Player.
9. 1996 - 1st US Open, North Carolina, USA with 9 other players as a Player.
10. 1999 - 1st Piala Korporat (Corporate Cup) where DBKL won the championship and went on to represent Malaysia in the 2000 World Championship in India.
11. 1990s - Bandaraya Open - Champion.
12. 2000 - Passed the ICF Umpires exam with 8 others and certificates were presented by Mr. B. Bangaru Babu and the then (Chief Director) Ketua Pengarah of KBS - Datuk Fatul Radzi.
13. 1999 & 2000 - Technical Representative for the 1st & 2nd Malaysian Open.
14. 2003 - 2nd US Open, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA as a Player.
15. 2004 - 4th World Championships, Colombo, Sri Lanka as a Player.
16. 2006 - 2nd World Cup, New Delhi, India as a Team Manager.
17. 2008 - 5th ICF Cup, Colombo, Sri Lanka as a Team Manager.
18. Appointed as the Chairman of the Umpires Bureau and Technical Committee.
19. Appointed by Karomas to participate in the ICF 10th year celebrations in Chennai.
20. Represented Malaysia for the 1st French Open in Paris.
21. 2008 - Formed WPKL Carrom Association (KaromasKL), holding the position of President.

Went to India on many occasions to gain more knowledge from the founding father of ICF - Mr. B. Bangaru Babu. Slowly but surely, he took more interest in organizing and developing the ICF format to locals although it still remains a huge challenge.

For many years, he's been actively involved in organizing MAKSWIP and MAKSAK carrom games successfully with his team of dedicated umpires. His legacy for carrom will continue as long as his services is needed. He's also doing some coaching and organizing tournaments for some clubs and organizations.

As you can clearly see his achievements over the years and he still continues to do what he does best - CARROM. Although now he's not play as much due to an operation which he underwent many years ago to correct the nerves on his wrists which eventually damaged it instead. I know he still loves playing although the strokes are pretty limited. But you can still see the passion in his eyes and the how he wished he never underwent that surgery. He still joins us for a game of "handicap" carrom where I become his doubles partner. That's quite a partnership.

Recently when he had a fall which injured his ankle, he would murmur that he could not do much for carrom. It took several months for his recovery and now walks around with the help of a walking aid. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope for the best and I thank God for carrom because that brought us together - a man and his passion for carrom.

THIS ARTICLE IS DEDICATED TO HIM, MY FRIEND.