Carrom: Lankan contingent off to India
For the first time after many months Carrom Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) are set to compete at two different competitions.
The CFSL owed Hotel Galadari as sum of Rs. 700,000 after hosting the 5th World Carrom Championship held in Colombo in November 2012, and hotel was to sue them. “If not for the timely intervention of the Ministry of Sports, we would have been in deep trouble. We received a telephone call from the Ministry saying that our request, seeking financial assistance to settle the debts, has been obliged. That made us free from debts again, at least for a while. Now we will easily have the time and capability to focus on the upcoming two international assignments, in India,” Rohini Mathiasz said.
The Sri Lanka senior team
Accordingly CFSL will send two teams to India, to take part in the infrequent Junior Under-19 Indo-Sri Lanka test series and more importantly the Champion of Champions Tournament, which will coincide with the 25th year, silver jubilee celebrations of the International Carrom Federation. Both tournaments will take place at Hotel Plazio in Gurgaon, Delhi from October 21 to 23.
For the junior test series Sri Lanka will send a team of six, consisting three boys and three girls. Manuka Ashen, Mohamed Shaheed and Anas Ahmed, all from Royal College Colombo are the three boys while Rebecca Dalrene of All Saints’ Convent Borella, Suchini Sashikala of Mahamaya Vidyalaya and Pavani Yasodha of Samudra Devi Balika Vidyalaya Nugegoda, are the three female members.
Top contenders from the national pool, Chamil Cooray, Nishantha Fernando, Chalani Liyanage and Roshita Joseph are the slicers to represent Sri Lanka at the Champion of Champions battle.
“This will be a very good opportunity for our youngsters to showpiece their talent against the Indian counterparts, while at the same time they will be able to witness their fellow senior players compete against top international slicers. We have been training at a
The Sri Lanka junior team -- Pix by Amila Gamage
stretch since October 7, and the players have so far indicated that they are ready for the challenge,” said the coach of two sides, Langley Mathiasz who went on to say that their burdens are eased with the debt list coming back to zero.
“It makes our efforts and roles as officials and coaches lot easier. Besides the miscommunications occurred with the Ministry of Education, while getting things straight to get the approval of the first junior national side for an international competition outbound, other matters are flowing in smoothly. The junior players are keen to win the test series while Nishantha, being the reigning World Champion, is much keen to preserve his figure internationally. The present national champion, Chamil is also keen to win titles, as Chalani and Roshita. It will be wonderful if all of them could win this time, especially at a competition which is being played to celebrate the 25th year celebrations of the Carrom International body,” he added.
The contingent, including ten players and three officials, will left Sri Lanka yesterday and is due to return next Friday, but not empty handed as they assure. Besides Langley, CFSL secretary Rohini Mathiasz will act as the manager of the Sri Lanka team while Nishani Ranasinghe will accompany the junior team as the teacher-in-charge.
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