Stiff opposition for the favourites
Sixteen Men’s Singles matches took place last week-end at the 28th Federation Rankers Carrom Championships played at the Carrom Federation Headquarters, Maharagama. The sixteen winners of the first round matches will face stiff opposition from the top sixteen ranked players in the pre-quarter finals scheduled to be played at the same venue on July 5, 2015.
Chamil Cooray, one of favourites - Pic by Anuradha Bandara
The pre-quarter finals round matches will be of special interest as the first round winners are confident that they are capable of coping the experienced rankers and upset wins can be expected. Carrom Federation events will be taking a break this week-end to give way for the Inter University Carrom Championship 2015.
First round match results:
Ajith Chandrasoma beat Irosh Chaturanga 25/10; (2) Subhash Maduranga beat Hasitha Anuruddha 25/15; (3) Sasrika Muthunayake beat M. Mazhir 25/08; (4) Janaka Chaminda beat M.M.S. Dilanka 25/04; (5) K.A. Prakash beat Kumara Athukorala 25/07; (6) S.A.S. Senadhi beat Gayan Perera 25/16; (7) Chanaka Jeevan beat Akila Shehan 25/07; ( 
Kapila Munasinghe beat R.A.J. Wickremasinghe 25/07; (9) Dineth Dulakshana beat Asitha Priyasanka 25/18; (10) Dhammika Rohan beat Suresh Peiris 21/20; (11) Nuwan Rukshan beat Y.M.P. Udayanga 25/22; (12) W.M. Mufees beat Achira Perera 25/00; (13) Shanaka Nadeesha beat D.T.A. Hewawitharana 25/06; (14) Lalith kumara beat Lasantha Chaminda 25/10; (15) K.G.S.J. Prasad beat K.S.P. Alwis 25/15; (16) Nuwan Chaturanga beat Hassan Azeez 25/02.
The draw for the pre-quarters finals: First named are ranked players –
Chamil Cooray vs. Dineth Dulakshana ; Ishan Kannangara vs. Kapila Munasinghe ; M.F.M. Fakir vs. Chanaka Jeevan; Prabath Yatawara vs. Ajith Chandrasoma; M. Sheriffdeen vs. Nuwan Rukshan; Viraj Fernando vs. Sasrika Muthunayake; Charith Madusanka vs. Nuwan Chaturanga; Dimal Senaratne vs. Lalith Kumara; Nishantha Fernando vs. K.A. Prakash; Lahiru Eshan s. Shanaka Nadeesha; Tharanga Kelum vs. S.A.S. Senadhi; Mohommad Shaheed vs. Subash Maduranga; Udesh Chaminda vs. K.G.S.J. Prasad; Brindly Wickremasinghe vs. Janaka Chaminda; M.T.M. Hilmy vs. W.M. Muffees; Anas Ahamed vs. Dhammika Rohan.