Ali Thameem
The long-awaited regional carrom championship has kicked off this morning, with national teams arriving in Male’ from countries across Asia.
The opening day has seen a 7-round league of mixed doubles played in Swiss-Format, with the score after the final round determining the ranking of each team.
The opening ceremony was held tonight at the open-air stage of Social Center after the end of today’s scheduled games.
Flag bearers from each participant nation were introduced as the respective nation’s anthem was played. Ismail Azmeen from team Maldives took the Athlete’s Oath on behalf of all participants. The General Secretary of the International Carrom Federation, Mr. VD Narayan addressed the attendees, followed by a speech from the president of the Carrom Association of Maldives, Ibrahim Rasheed.
Sunday’s games will see Women’s Doubles and Men’s doubles teams simultaneously taking on their respective opponents in a knockout format.
The Asian Carrom Championship, which has been dormant for the past ten years, has been reinstated for its 6th edition this year, with the Maldives taking the initiative to host the tournament.
