The South Zone carrom championship for four categories – junior boys, junior girls, men and women - was inaugurated at Mandava Institute of Engineering and Technology at Jaggaiahpet on Friday in which teams from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Hyderabad and Andhra are taking part.
Speaking at the inaugural function, local MLA Sitaram Rajagopal (Tataiah) said that carrom was a popular indoor game in the country and it was played in 27 countries. “This game is considered as best recreation by many and it gives immense amount relaxation,” he added.
MIET chairman Mandava Venkateswara Rao thanked the ACA officials for allotting the prestigious tournament to the college. “We have taken all the necessary steps for the smooth conduct of the tourney. We are proving boarding and lodging to the players.”
Ranked players
Andhra Carrom Association secretary Abdul Jaleel said nearly 140 players are taking part in the tournament which will conclude on Sunday. “The tournament will be held for team championship and individual categories. We are using 18 international boards. Former world champions Radhakrishnan, G. Revathi, junior champion Sk. Elahi and several ranked players will be seen in action,” he added.
District Sports Development Officer P. Ramakrishna said MIET was best suited to conduct an event such magnitude.
All India Chess Federation vice president M. V. Chandramouli, AICF treasurer P. Ravindran, Regional Deputy Director G. Chinnaiah, Andhra Carrom Association president K.N.S. Sankar Rao, AICF general secretary Uday Kumar, MIET correspondent M. Sridhar, college director Kusuma and others were present at the inaugural function.
