Asian Carrom Championship returns to Maldives after 10-Year Hiatus
After a decade-long pause, the Asian Carrom Championship is set to make a comeback in Malé this April, marking a significant milestone for carrom enthusiasts in the region.
The last tournament of its kind was held in Kolkata, India, back in 2013, and since then, the championship has been on hold.
Announcing the revival of the tournament, Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu revealed that the Maldives Carrom Association has taken the initiative to host the event, garnering approval from the Asian Carrom Federation.
This decision comes on the heels of the Maldives' successful hosting of the Carrom World Cup in the past.
Scheduled to kick off on April 27, the five-day championship will bring together over 100 delegates from 12 Asian countries where carrom enjoys popularity.
The tournament will take place at the indoor hall of the Social Centre, which meets the standards set by the Asian Carrom Federation.
Hussain Raushaan, Secretary General of the Maldives Carrom Association, highlighted the collaborative efforts between the association and the Asian Carrom Federation to ensure the smooth operation of the tournament.
Raushaan also revealed plans for a one-day Asian Federation meeting during the championship, where representatives from each participating country will convene to discuss future hosting arrangements.
With the Maldives men's carrom team ranking third globally, there are high hopes for a strong showing from the national team.
Minister Rafiu expressed optimism for gold medal victories in both the men's and women's categories, urging full support for the Maldivian contingent.
It is very important that we all do everything we can to support the national team. We should expect our team to win gold medal at the tournament and nothing less
said Minister Rafiu
Preparations for the championship, including accommodation and catering for visiting delegations, will require an estimated budget of MVR 1.1 million.
The Ministry of Sports has been cited as a key sponsor, with additional efforts underway to secure further support for the event.
Delegates from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore are expected to participate in the tournament, marking a significant milestone in the resurgence of the Asian Carrom Championship.
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