Carrom: Inaugural Ramazan event starts July 27

PSB supports the PCF, but has not agreed upon an affiliation.

KARACHI: Pakistan Carrom Federation (PCF) has organised the Ramazan Night Tournament starting July 27, with an expected participation from at least 50 players in the inaugural event.

According to a PCF official, the tournament will contest an open format for everyone to participate in; however, the best players will be picked by the selection committee for an International Carrom Federation (ICF) event that will be held in India in October.

“This is the first time that we are holding a Ramazan tournament and we are expecting a full turn out,” said the official.



“The purpose of holding the event is not only to promote carrom, but also to shortlist new talent that can later participate in the Champion of Champions tournament in India.

“We will send at least two of our best players with an official.”

The Ramazan tournament will be played from 11 pm till 3 am everyday from Saturday onwards.

The official further added that the PCF would be on the lookout for young players in order to form a team for the Junior World Championship that will also take place in India.

“We wanted to send a squad for the Junior World Championship, but we don’t have a team yet. Hopefully the night tournament will provide us with a good pool of players.”

The PCF has been affiliated with the ICF since 2004. However, the official stated that they were still having trouble with local sports authorities.

“Our motto is to recognise and prioritise the Olympic sports first,” said a Sindh Sports Board official regarding this issue.

“We have been in contact with PCF officials, but so far we are just encouraging them with the game. We are not against the promotion of carrom or any other in-door game.

“However, the PCF still has a long way to go and an affiliation with the Pakistan Sports Board will not come to them easily.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2013.

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