Carrom champions from Telangana seek recognition and support

Carrom champions from Telangana, including world medallists K Srinivas and S Aditya, have expressed disappointment over the lack of government recognition and support. While Tamil Nadu offers cash incentives and jobs to its players, Telangana’s achievers continue to struggle for acknowledgment

Hyderabad: Not many disciplines can boast of the impressive list of achievers from Telangana like carrom over the years. Yet, it has long been neglected for being a non-Olympic sport and not being spectator friendly.

Officials of the then Hyderabad Carrom Association, with Mr B K Haranath as one of the founder-members, and the incumbent Secretary S Madanraj along with President Mr K Santhosh Kumar of Navyabharathi Global School (Nizamabad), have been passionately putting in efforts to sustain the interest of die-hard carrom fans.

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At the end of the day, what matters more is not just the officials conducting tournaments and grooming champions, but some recognition from the State Government.

Not many may be aware that carrom produced the first world champion (seniors), S Appoorwa, in any sport from Hyderabad. Critics might question the number of countries taking part, but it is worth reminding how many countries play cricket globally.

When the Tamil Nadu Government recently announced huge cash incentives to medallists of the sixth World Cup — M Khazima (Rs 1 crore), K Nagajothi (Rs 50 lakhs), V Mithra (Rs 60 lakhs) — and the seventh World Cup — L Keerthana (Rs 1 crore), M Khazima (Rs 50 lakhs), V Mithra (Rs 40 lakhs), the feeling of disappointment was strong in Telangana, with no hint of similar financial help or job support. This has demoralised the carrom fraternity.

“We also play the sport with all passion and it is never easy to be a World Champion in any discipline,” said one champion player.

Top achievers include K Srinivas of IOCL, multiple World Cup medallist, and S Aditya, bronze medallist in men’s singles, gold in team championship, silver in men’s doubles and silver in Swiss league, whose trips have been self-funded because of his passion for the sport.

“We are fortunate that the Carrom Association of Telangana has been a huge support to our cause. But we will be more grateful if we get some support, by way of jobs and cash incentives like Tamil Nadu does,” said Aditya.

Winners have many takers and losers are often ignored in sport. But in the case of carrom champions, there is no difference in terms of Government attitude. Will fortunes change? Only time will tell.