Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
In search of a sponsor
|
Though Tamil Nadu accounts for over 70 per cent of the honours in national championships, recognition eludes the achievers. What does the Chennai District Carrom Association have to say?
|
Champions all: At a practice session at the Carrom Association office - Pic. by S. Thanthoni
"WE ARE achievers," says B. Bangaru Babu, the man synonymous with Indian Carrom, with a touch of pride. Babu, currently president of the Chennai District Carrom Association, has reason to feel elated with carrom's progress in Tamil Nadu, for the State accounts for over 70 per cent of the honours in national championships. But then this is no surprise for, nearly eight months in a year, there are tournaments taking place in the State. Besides, camp and practice sessions are virtually part of the day-to-day activity at the association's office in the Nehru Stadium.
Lack of recognition
Sadly however, recognition has not been commensurate with all these positive developments. True, the State Government through the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu provides adequate grants to the Carrom Association to arrange for participation in various national championships. But the achievers thereafter get nothing more. "The rule is that only those winning medals in the National Games get cash awards. Carrom has never earned a place among the disciplines in the Games," laments Babu, who for long years toiled to gain recognition for carrom at the national level and ensured that the sport became an international discipline. The saving grace is, he recounts, the best talent gets employment. "Most of the players come from the lower strata of society. To them, a job means more than anything else. Some despite just school-level educational qualification rise in their profession thanks to achievements in carrom. Examples are Yuvarani, working in Indian Bank, and Kubendra Babu in Chennai Customs. Both have been World No. Three," he says.
Achieving excellence
It is common to see them practise at the association office. Joining them the other day were P. Silambarasan (national sub-junior champion), E. Sundaravinayagam (national youth champion for the second year running) and I. Ilavazhagi (national youth champion for the second year running and Federation Cup winner) and M. Parimala Devi (junior national champion), all keen on achieving higher levels of excellence.
Such is Tamil Nadu's dominance, particularly in the women's section, says Babu, that in the junior girls category, the State has had a champion girl for 12 years in a row now. The legacy has to continue and officials leave no stone unturned to keep that record going. "If the players do not come for practice, we send people in search of them to ensure that talent is not lost for want of care and advice," Babu says.
It is easy to assume that an association, which works in such an over-drive mode, should be financially sound. Far from it, the body reels under the pressure of financial strain. "We struggle to make ends meet. Even raising the rent (Rs. 2,000-odd) for our premises in the Nehru Stadium is a huge task. Well-wishers keep us afloat," he says. And well-wishers also ensure that the association's quarterly newsletter Carrom Courier comes out regularly. But the sport needs a sponsor, only then can it become popular, says Babu.
S. R. SURYANARAYAN
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
|
