icfcup2008

5th ICF Cup Carrom Championship 2008
Excellent performances

5th ICF Cup Carrom Championship 2008 ended with colourful prize distribution ceremony on 19th October at Palm Beach Hotel, Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka.
During the five days international tournament, which was held in connection with the 50th Anniversary of the Carrom Federation of Sri Lanka and the 20th Anniversary of the foundation of the International Carrom Federation, the players of three continents Asia, Europe and America displayed excellent performances and exchanged experiences and knowledge in a very friendly and cordial atmosphere. A total number of 15 slams were made during the matches. They included 14 white and 1 black slam.
While the Indian men and girl players maintained their supremacy by winning all events they had to face tough resistance from the Sri Lankan players. Also players from several other countries such as France and Pakistan proved that the standard of their game has improved fast.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, which was highlighted with the Sri Lankan dances and music, the Minister of Sports of Sri Lanka praised the role of Carrom and assured support of his government for Carrom activities. Mr. Mervin Jayasinghe, President of the Carrom
Federation of Sri Lanka, thanked ICF and all Carrom players for their cooperation and support. Mr. Arif Naqvi President of International Carrom Federation spoke of the role of ICF in promoting Carrom all over the world. He stressed on the social values of Carrom and praised the improvement of its standard. He informed that International Juniors Championship will be held in India next year, while Euro Cup and Asian Championships will also be held the same year. In 2010 Carrom World Cup will be held in USA.
The 5th ICF Cup was opened on 15th October, exact 20 years after the ICF was formed on 15th October 1988 at Madras (Chennai), India. To mark the occasion a birthday cake was cut at the opening ceremony.

Following winners were awarded the trophies at the closing ceremony:
Men Team’s Event:
Winner: India
Runner-up: Sri Lanka
3rd. : France

Women Team’s Event:
Winner: India
Runner-up: Sri Lanka
3rd. : Malaysia

Men Singles:
Winner: Prakash Gaikwad , India
Runner-up: MB. Radhakrishnan, India
3rd. : M. Nataraj, India

Women Singles:
Winner: Rashmi Kumari, India
Runner-up: P. Nirmala, India
3rd.: I. Ilavazhaki, India

Men Doubles:
Winner: Yogesh Pardeshi/ Prakash Gaikwad, India
Runner-up: M. Nataraj/Radhakrishnan, India
3rd. : Chamil Cooray/Nishant Fernando , Sri Lanka

Women’s Doubles
Winner: Rashmi Kumari/ P. Nirmala, India
Runner-up: I. Ilavazhaki/G.revathy, India
3rd. : Amitha Wikramasinghe/Yasika Rahubaddha, Sri Lanka

Swiss League Championship:
Winner: M. Nataraj, India
Runner-up: Prakash Gaikwad, India
3rd. : Yogesh Pardeshi, India

Best non seeded Asian: Shabbir Ahmed, Pakistan
Best European: Pierre Dubois, France

Murtaza K. Zulfee, who attended the ICF Cup inspite of his very serious injuries, was recognized for his outstanding services for Carrom.

Excellent hospitality and friendly and cordial atmosphere was praised by all participants. There was also a very good press coverage by the national media of Sri Lanka.

Arif Naqvi
Chairman
ICF- Media Commission