Carrom: Cooray and Roshita win titles at 50th National Championship

Reigning Men's National champion Chamil Darshana Cooray of Seylan Bank, won his 14th National title, while Joseph Roshita of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) won her sixth title at the 50th National Carrom Championship at Hilton Colombo Residences.
 
The Sri Lanka Carrom Federation (CFSL) celebrated its Diamond Jubilee along with the Golden Jubilee of its National Championship, which had a record number of entries. 

Chamil Cooray defeated World Champion Nishantha Fernando 2-1, in a hard fought 2-1 encounter, while in the Women's category, it was plain sailing for SLN's Joseph Roshita as she coasted to an easy 2-0 win over Sri Lanka Air Force's Yasika Rahubadda. 

Chamil Darshana Cooray clinched a Double crown, partnering Tashmila Kavindi for the Mixed Doubles title. 

National Championship was conducted in 6 categories, namely Men's and Women's Singles, Men's and Women's Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Veteran's Singles, with 350 Slicers in contention. 

The Preliminary rounds were conducted at the SLCF Headquarters, Kohuwela, while the Semifinals and Finals were held at the HCR. 

The Awards ceremony was held under the patronage of Inspector General of Police, Pujith Jayasundara, and International Carrom Federation President Josef Meyer. 

The National Champions received Rs. 100,000 each, with each category receiving cash awards totalilmg Rs 400,000, for the first time in the history of the Championship. 

In this highly competitive Championship there were 18 Slams- 15 White and 3 Black- at this tournament by Nishantha Fernando (3), Chamil Cooray (2), Anas Ahamed (2)and one each by Avon Wickramasinghe, K.G.S.J. Prasad, Ajith Chandrasoma, Nalin Jayashantha, Prabath Yatawara, Shaheed Hilmy, Prameda Mendis, Dammika Rohana, H. Prabath, Pramod Ashendra and Yasika Rahubaddha.    

RESULTS: 

Men’s Singles 
Champion: Chamil Darshana Cooray (25-19, 15-25, 25-21) 
Runner-up: Nishantha Fernando 
Third Place: Shaheed Hilmy (25-24, 14-25, 25-16) 

Women’s Singles 
Champion: Joseph Roshita (25-0, 25-21) 
Runner-up: Yasika Rahubaddha 
Third Place: Chalani Lakmali Liyanage (25-22, 25-5) 

Men’s Doubles 
Champions: Nishantha Fernando-Suraj Maduwantha (25-0, 25-17) 
Runners-up: Chamil Darshana Cooray-Brindley Wickramasinghe 
Third Place: M.T.M. Hilmy-K.K. Prakash (12-25, 25-5, 25-11) 

Women’s Doubles 
Champions: Yasika Rahubaddha-Chalani Lakmali Liyanage (25-03, 25-18) 
Runners-up: Shashika Sandamali-Madusha Vithana 
Third Place: Joseph Roshita-Rebecca Delrine (6-25, 25-3, 25-0) 

Mixed Doubles 
Champions: Chamil Darshana Cooray-Tashmila Kavindi (25-14, 25-21) 
Runners-up: Anas Ahamed-Rebecca Delrine 
Third Place: Lahiru Eshan-Joseph Roshita (25-7, 25-7) 

Veteran Singles 
Champion: Lalith Hewage (25-13, 25-17) 
Runner-up: M. Farook 
Third Place: K.G.S.J. Prasad (Walkover)