• National team sans a coach since 2010 

The Sri Lanka silver medal-winning national men’s and women’s carrom teams which competed at the sixth Carrom World Cup in San Francisco, California arrived at the BIA, Katunayake on Saturday (23) night. The tournament featuring players from 18 nations, was held from 10-17 November. 

Mohamed Shaheed and Anas Ahmed from the national men’s team and Hurushi Malshani and Tharushi Himahansika from the women’s team, were able to clinch bronze medals in the Men’s and Women’s Doubles categories respectively.

Speaking to the media upon their arrival, the captain of the Sri Lanka carrom team Roshita Joseph said that the national team had been continuing without a coach for the past 14-year period.

Hence she noted that they had been forced to continue in the sport in the midst of severe constraints but was quick to stress that they had done so for the sheer love of the game.

Joseph added that with unwavering commitment and dedication of the players, they had been able to emerge runners up at the sixth Carrom World Cup in the US.

The participation of the Lankan carrom teams at the World Cup was initially thrown into doubt due to persistent visa issues and the team’s efforts to secure official support from the Ministry of Sports had also been hindered.

But, they had subsequently managed to sort out the visa issues and their impressive showing in the tournament further highlights that if State patronage is accorded to these players they could place the country’s name on the world carrom map.   

Among those present at the BIA to welcome the team, were officials from the Carrom Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL), Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy, along with family members and relatives of the players.

 (JK)