World Champs at Carrom are homeless
Carrom Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) is in a quandary for want of a permanent building to house its headquarters.
The Lease agreement on their present location at Kohuwala is to expire soon and the premises to be handed over. All along the CFSL didn’t have a permanent building for its headquarters. Earlier the headquarters was located in a small building in Maharagama.
It is a pity that the Ministry of Sports (MoS) turns a deaf ear every time the officials make a plea to solve this problem. Due to the untiring efforts of the CFSL officials so far, despite many hardships, the sport has progressed uninterrupted.
Sri Lanka Carrom teams kept the national flag flying high internationally, winning world championships on several occasions. In 2008, 2010 and 2018, the Men’s team emerged World Champions. In 2012, Nishantha Fernando won the Singles crown while Chamil Cooray won the Swiss League Championship.
An official speaking to the Sunday Times said the CFSL had met the MoS and his officials on numerous occasions, hoping they would solve their longstanding problem of a building for their headquarters. They had a discussion with the then MoS Faiszer Musthapha and his Secretary, who agreed to solve this problem, but yet no permanent solution.
Headquarters of a World championship winning controlling body is moving from place to place like gypsies, which will dampen the interest of the players who undergo personal sacrifices for the country, with minimal facilities. The writer visited the headquarters in Maharagama and Kohuwala and saw under what difficulties the CFSL conducts its tournaments and practice sessions.
Inviting the winners of a world championship to the Ministry to garland them and give financial rewards does not help in the long term. There are many more requirements to be fulfilled for the development and progress of the sport and its governing body.
The sacrifice and the devotion of the players and the officials should be commended for keeping the sport alive so far, while it is the bounden duty of the MoS to provide a permanent building for the CFSL’s headquarters, before the sport dies a natural death.