Monday 12 January 2015

MAKSAK 2014, Kuala Terengganu (12 - 14 September)

Dear Readers, my apologies for coming back after months of keeping this article on hold. 

On to the news -

TRIP TO TERENGGANU
(10 September 2014)
It was indeed a trip worth looking forward to and enjoyable one especially for the umpires who came along to umpire the matches. For some, this is the ever trip to the beautiful state of Terengganu. Since 2 of the umpires were from Seremban, we had no choice but to go the night before (10 September) as the plan was to leave KL @ 7am.

(11 September 2014)
We left Kuala Lumpur at about 7.30am, stopped at a R&R for breakfast and continued our journey and arrived at our destination approximately 2pm. At 4pm a manager's meeting were held to iron out last minute issues attended by 3 of our officials.

The umpires who were selected to go this time around was:

1. Mr. Samohon Kassim
2. Mr. Roslan Omar
3. Mr. Frankie Pek
4. Mr. Samsuddin
5. Mr. Mohd. Din
6. Mr. Gopi
7. Mr. Sahipul
8. Mr. Remey
9. Mr. Hairol
10. Mr. Waharuddin
11. Mdm. Norizan
12. Yours truly

All umpires were at their best minus an umpire who used to go around taking photos while umpiring. No such nonsense this year and it's good for the national carrom.

(12 September 2014)
Here's the grouping for both Men & Ladies team:


Men's Team Grouping

Women's Team Grouping
Results for Day 1 (12 September 2014, Friday)


Day #1 - Results (MEN TEAM - Preliminary Rounds/Group Matches)
Day #1 - Results (WOMEN TEAM - Preliminary Rounds/Group Matches)

Results for Day 2 (13 September 2014, Saturday)


Day #2 - Results (MEN TEAM - Final Group Match, Quarter & Semi-Finals)

Day #2 - Results (WOMEN TEAM - Final Group Match, Quarter & Semi-Finals)

Results for Day 3 (14 September 2014, Sunday)


Day #3 - Results (MEN TEAM)

Day #3 - Results (WOMEN TEAM)

FINAL RESULTS - Congratulations to all WINNERS!
1. Men Team - WPKL
2. Women Team - Selangor
3. Best Men Single's Player - Hisham Lot (Selangor)
4. Best Women Single's Player - Rosmah Mahidin (Selangor)
5. Best Men Pair - Hazarullah/Mohd Yunos (Johor)
6. Best Women Pair - Nor Amraf/Norazlin (Pahang)

TOURNAMENT PHOTOS

MAKSAK Tournament Banner
Organizing Committee busy discussing some issues
Well organized venue - cool and cozy
Umpires giving their candid pose
Dedicated umpires giving their best pose
Women Team Final (Singles) - WPKL vs Selangor. Umpired by Mr. Frankie Pek
Men Team Final (Singles) - WPKL vs Johor. Umpired by Mr. Remey
Men Team Final (Singles) - WPKL vs Johor. Umpired by Mr. Roslan Omar
Women Team Final (Singles) - WPKL vs Selangor. Umpired by Mr. Waharuddin
Women Team Final (Doubles) - WPKL vs Selangor. Umpired by Mr. Mohd Din & Mr. Gopi
Women Team Final (Doubles) - WPKL vs Selangor. Umpired by Mr. Mohd Din & Mr. Gopi
Men Team Final (Doubles) - WPKL vs Johor. Umpired by Mr. Samohon & Mr. Sahipul
Men Team Final (Doubles) - WPKL vs Johor. Umpired by Mr. Samohon & Mr. Sahipul
Team Finals (Men & Women) in progress
Even umpires need time-off to enjoy a few rounds of carrom i.e. Umpire Doubles League in progress

UMPIRE DOUBLES LEAGUE
For many years since the early inception of MAKSAK, some of us have been in the umpire's panel for more than 10 years. Some years back there was a suggestion that we should have our own league during these games. But every time the plan is put forward, we end up not having it but finally I pushed for it to be held this time.

To be fair and not lop-sided, we decided to have a doubles league instead of singles as there were 8 players and a draw was done to decide the pairing. Fearing that by having singles, it could take 2 consecutive nights. You can see the pairing in the graphic/table below. Initially we wanted to play best of 3 full games but that got really stretched as the pairs were evenly strong. Well we still did play 3 full games but later decided to play 1 full game of 25 points and this made it much more interesting then tiring.

3 of the 4 pairs had 2 wins & 1 loss and it came down to the number of carrommen won and loss. And that definitely made the final results very interesting. It ended late night between 1-2am. Not always but when an opportunity like this comes, carrom lovers will not budge.



Well I certainly hope that this can be a yearly affair in conjunction with MAKSAK. Even umpires need to keep ourselves "in-touch" with the rulings to ensure that the right decision is made when match is in progress.

DEPARTURE
The umpires left Terengganu at about 1pm and reached Kuala Lumpur at approximately 10.30pm. As of now we're not sure of the next location of MAKSAK i.e. which state will be hosting the games.

Thursday 1 January 2015

Blessed New Year 2015

Dear Customers, here's wishing all of you a very blessed, prosperous & healthy new year 2015. Thank you for all your support and for trusting us to supply only the best in carrom equipment. Hope all of us will have a better year.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.