BSNL all-India Carrom tournament to commence in Goa from tomorrow

Panaji, Oct 7 (UNI) Altogether 22 teams, representing 22 Telecom Circles across India, will participate in the seventh All-India BSNL Carrom tournament, which gets underway tomorrow at Peddem sports complex, Mapusa in North Goa.

BSNL general manager for Goa Circle Ashok Kumar Desarkar, who is also the organising chairman, told media persons here today that the District Sports and Cultural Board of BSNL (Goa), under the auspices of Maharastra Circle Regional Sports and Cultural Board, has organised the six-day tournament.

He said, about 298 players (both men and women) will vie for top honours. The events will have Men's singles in open and veteran categaries, Men's doubles team championship, Women's singles in open and veteran categories and Women's doubles team championship.

S Sriram from Bangalore will be the chief referee.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sriram said Santosh Sawant (Maharastra) and S R Prasad from Andra Pradesh are the reigining champions in men's and veteran's singles tournaments respectively, while Banu Das (Assam) and M D Malini (Karnataka) are defending champions in women's and veteran's singles respectively. Last year, the championship was held at Guwahati, he added.

World champion and presently national champion for Bihar Cirlce Rashmi Kumari will also be seen in action.

S S Sharma of Delhi will be the ovrall observer of the tournment.

Mr Sriram will be assisted by another 40 refrees for conduct of the tournament.

UNI