XVIIth Inter-Institution National Carrom Championship 2015-2016

Rashmi Kumari of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board  & L. Rakesh Singh of Air India won Women & Men Singles titles respectively in the The All India Carrom Federation organised and hosted by Maharashtra Carrom Association & sponsored by The Bank Of Maharashtra - 17th Inter-Institution National Carrom Championship held at Maharashtra State Bharat Scout & Guide AC Hall, Veer Savarkar Marg, Shivaji Park, Dadar, Mumbai -28.  This Championship was held under guidance of Shri. Shivkumar Lad-President, Shri. Arun Kedar-Hon. Secretary, Maharashtra Carrom Association.

In the Men Singles final, L. Rakesh Singh of Air India exhibited plenty of  resilience & strong fighting qualities to overcome a strong challenge from Anil Mundhe of Jain Irrigation in a keenly contested straight games encounter 25-16, 25-22 to secure the men singles title in 17th edition of Inter-Institution National Carrom Championship. In the first game L. Rakesh Singh of Air India displaying excellent cut shots won the first game in 7 boards 25-16. But in second game Anil Mundhe mixing offence with defense took a lead of 22-21 till 7 board. In the concluding 8th board Rakesh Singh took 4 points to wrap up the match at 25-16, 25-22. Earlier in semi finals, Rakesh Singh overcame his team mate World No. 4 Riyaz Akbar Ali in straight games at 25-0, 25-9. And in another engrossing semi final Anil Mundhe of Jain Irrigation overcame Prashant More of Reserve Bank Of India in straight games encounter at 25-18, 25-20 to enter the finals. Riyaz Akbar Ali of Air India overcame Prashant More of Reserve Bank of India in a thrilling three game encounter 25-22, 20-25, 25-21 to secure third place.

In women singles, World & National Champion Rashmi Kumari of PSPB in a keenly contested straight games encounter overcame her team mate S. IIavazhaki 25-10, 25-14 to claim the title. Earlier in the semi final Rashmi Kumari of PSPB prevailed over former World & National Champion S. Apoorva of LIC Of India in straight games encounter 25-8, 25-12. In another encounter former World & National Champion S. IIavazhaki of PSPB encountered stiff resistance Dipika Sinha LIC Of India in a 25-14, 4-25, 25-10 three game encounter to advance to the finals. S. Apoorva Of LIC Of India in a thrilling three game encounter overcame her team mate Dipika Sinha 25-20, 16-25, 25-22 to claim third place.

TOTAL SLAMS MADE IN THIS TOURNAMENT

• 14 White Slams (Break to Finish)
• 4 Black Slams

Men & Women singles event winners L. Rakesh Singh (Air India) & Rashmi Kumari (PSPB) pose with their winning trophies  with chief guest shri.  Anant Kulkarni-Deputy GM, Shri Ghanshyam Vanmali-Deputy GM, Bank Of Maharashtra, Shri. Pradeepkumar Hajarika-Sr. Vice President, Shri. P. S. Bacher (General Secretary All India Carrom Federation), Shri. Shivkumar Lad-President, Shri. Arun Kedar-Hon Secretary, Shri. M. A. Khan-Vice President, Shri. Anand Gosavi-Maharashtra Carrom Association, Shri. Sandeep Chavan & other dignitaries 

Men & Women Single winners L. Rakesh Singh (Air India) & Rashmi Kumari (Petroleum Sports Promotion Board) pose with their trophies

Lifetime Achievement Award

It gives me great pleasure in conveying to the carrom world that the Tamil Nadu Olympic Association has honored Mr. B. Bangaru Babu with an award titled - "Founder of Carrom and a Great Sports Administrator". This is in recognition of his services to the game of carrom since its inception and the Olympic movement, at a pleasant function held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai on 9th September 2015.

The award was presented by Dr. N. Ramachandran, President of the Indian Olympic Association with a momento and cash award. Also present was Dr. K. Murugan, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Olympic Association, Mr. W. J. Dawaram, I.P.S, ex-D.I.G of Police, Tamil Nadu & President, Tamil Nadu Olympic Association and Dr. Isari Ganesan, Vice President, Tamil Nadu Olympic Association.

Mr. Babu is:

• Founder, International Carrom Federation
• Founder, Asian Carrom Confederation
• Founding-Member, All-India Carrom Federation
• Executive President, Tamil Nadu Carrom Association
• President, Chennai District Carrom Association

I've personally known Babu Saar (respectfully called) since late 90s and he's known to be a person who organizes or is involved in competitions relentlessly and only wants the best for carrom. Without him carrom would not have reached international success as more and more European countries are registering associations and federations to be part of European Carrom Confederation (ECC) and International Carrom Federation (ICF). Fruits of his labor of love can be seen in the major international championships.

SSCH WISHES YOU GOOD HEALTH AND LONG LIFE BABU SAAR!

13th Late Mukhtar Ahmed Memorial Carrom Tournament 2015

6th seeded National & Former World Champion employed with Indian Oil Corporation. Yogesh Pardesi of Pune & 4th seeded Sneha More of Indian Oil Corporation claimed Men & Women singles title respectively.

In  the men singles final Yogesh Pardesi exhibited plenty of resilience & strong fighting qualities to overcome a strong challenge from World No. 4 Riyaz Akbar Ali of Air India in a keenly contested thrilling three game encounter 25-13, 13-25, 25-0 to annexe the men singles title. In the 1st game Yogesh Pardesi displaying attacking game and excellent cut shots won the first game 25-13 in 8 boards. But in 2nd game Riyaz Akbar Ali after trailing 0-9 took the next 5 boards to win by 25-13 points and make it 1 each. But in deciding 3rd game Yogesh outplayed Riyaz Akbar Ali 25-0 in four boards giving no chance to recover and in the process Yogesh scored a break to finish in the 2nd board of 3rd game. Yogesh Pardesi won a cash prize of INR11,000/- & Trophy, Runner-up Riyaz Akbar Ali received INR7,000/- as cash prize. 

Earlier in the semi-final Yogesh Pardesi wiped out unseeded Mangesh Pandit of Mumbai 25-5, 25-11 in straight games. In another semi-final, Riyaz Akbar Ali overcame unseeded Reserve Bank Of India's Prashant More 25-12, 25-7 in straight games to enter the finals.

In the women singles final fourth seeded Sneha More of Indian Oil overcame Jain Irrigation's Former SAARC & State Champion Ayesha Mohd. 25-12, 5-25, 25-17 in a keenly contested three game encounter to claim first major title of her carier. Sneha More Received INR6,000/- cash prize & Trophy. Runnerup Ayesh Mohd. had to be content with INR4,000/- cash prize.

The glittering prize distribution function was held in the presence of Shri Abhay Shahapurkar - Asst. General Manager, Mumbai City Region, Bank Of Maharashtra chief guest. Which was presided over by Shri Shri. Ajit Ravate-Vice Chairman, Shri Chandrashekhar Pathare, Hon. Secretary, KUC, Shri Atul Joshi-chief Manager, Bank Of Maharashtra, Shri Prakash Kankonkar-Officer, BOM, Shri Mahendra Tambe, Hon. Treasurer & Shri Datta Vinerkar, Chairman, Shri D. G. Chalke-President, Shri Shashi Kondkar-Secretary, Shri Ashok Hadkar-NKGSB Bank & other dignitories were Guest of Honour. 

International Umpire Shri Parvinder Singh was the chief referee & assisted by Shri Vijay Marpelli for this prestigious Tournament.

RESULTS

Men Single’s Final

Sixth Seeded National & Former World Champion Yogesh Pardesi (Pune) bt. Unseeded Riyaz Akbar Ali (Mumbai) 25-13, 13-25, 25-0

Semi Final :

(1) Riyaz Akbar Ali (Mumbai) bt. Prashant More (Mumbai) 25-12, 25-7

(2) Sixth Seeded National & Former World Champion Yogesh Pardesi (Pune) bt. Mangesh Pandit (Mumbai) 25-5, 25-11

Women Single's Final

(1) Fourth Seeded Sneha More (Mumbai) bt. Fifth Seeded Ayesha Mohd. (Mumbai) 25-12, 5-25, 25-17

Men Double’s Final

(1) Ganesh Taware / Vasant Vairal (Mumbai) bt. Sandeep Deorukhkar / Ashok Gour (Mumbai) 25-7, 1-25, 25-11

Men Veteran Single’s Final

(1) Manu Baria (Mumbai) bt. Ganesh Patnakar (Mumbai) 12-25, 25-15, 25-3

Junior Boys Single's Final : (Under 18 Years)

(1) Deepak Maru (Mumbai) bt. Rohit Mirajkar (Pune) 25-18, 9-25, 25-16

Junior Girl's Single's Final : (Under 18 Years)

Janhavi More (Thane) bt. Pushkarni Bhattad (Pune) 25-10, 25-9

TOTAL SLAMS SCORED

19 White Slams (Break to Finish)

6 Black Slams

PHOTOS FROM THE TOURNAMENT

Women Single's Winner Sneha More (right) in action against Ayesha Mohd

Men Single's Winner Yogesh Pardesi (left) in action against Riyaz Akbar Ali

Men & Women Single's winners Yogesh Pardesi, Sneha More along with their trophies pose with chief guest Shri Abhay Shahapurkar-Asst. General Manager, Mumbai City Region, Bank Of Maharashtra Shri Shri. Ajit Ravate-Vice Chairman, Shri Chandrashekhar Pathare, Hon. Secretary, KUC, Shri Atul Joshi-chief Manager, Bank Of Maharashtra, Shri Prakash Kankonkar-Officer, BOM, Shri Nagsen Etambe, Shri M. S. Prabhughate, Shri Ashok Hadkar-NKGSB Bank & other dignitories were Guest of Honour

Men & Women Single's winners Yogesh Pardesi & Sneha More  both of Indian Oil Corporation along with their Trophies