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| Once
considered as a mere time-pass, Carrom is now being played at competitive
level in an organised manner. The popularity of the game can be attributed
to its simplicity and portability. However, game of carrom is as
scientific as billiards. |
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| Did you know? |
| In many countries it is called 'finger billiards'.
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| It requires
a thorough knowledge of angles, deftness of touch, keen sight and
superlative control of nerves. It also requires skill and deep
concentration. |
| Carrom is a
board game that enjoys popularity across age. According to an estimate
more than 15 million people play this game in India alone. However, the
origins of Carrom are not exactly known. Some people are of the opinion
that it was the invention of the Indian Maharajahs, while others think
that Carrom may have been introduced by the British. Some books refer to
Burma, Egypt and Ethiopia as possible sources of origin. So, nothing
accurate can be said of the game's origin. |
| Nevertheless, today Carrom enjoys the reputation of being not just
the regional pastime of the Indian subcontinent, but in other countries as
well where South Asians have migrated. |
| Did you know? |
| Serious
carrom tournaments began in Sri Lanka in 1935. In 1958, both
India and Sri Lanka formed official federations of Carrom
clubs, sponsoring tournaments and awarding prizes. Rankings of
statewide teams in India began in 1956 and the first matches
between national teams viz: India v. Sri Lanka) occurred in
the 1960s. Regional competitions have also taken place in
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Malaysia, and the Republic of the
Maldives. | |
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With interest in Eastern culture gaining poularity among
young Europeans during the 60s, Carrom began appearing in homes and
clubs. By 1 970s, commercial import from India had begun and
tournaments were being held in Switzerland, Germany and Holland.
International competitions were already underway in Europe by 1980
and today, thousands of serious Carrom players are spreading its
popularity with boards now being manufactured in Germany,
Switzerland, Holland, and Italy. | |
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| With the
growth in popularity, a need was felt to have an international federation.
The movement to form the International Carrom Federation gained momentum
in the 1980s due to energetic promotion by Europeans and Asians alike.
|
| Fact |
| The
first Carrom Congress was held in 1988 and the first international
tournament was held in 1989 with India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives,
Germany, Switzerland & Holland competing for a silver cup.
Undoubtedly, the most important event in unifying Carrom players
around the world has been the codification of rules for tournament
play by the ICF. Prior to the formation of the International
Federation, players from various countries followed different rules,
making international competition impossible. With the creation of
the Laws of Carrom teams from all the Carrom-playing countries are
now able to agree on rules and this is how International Standard
Carrom was been born. With regulations covering the dimensions of
the board and playing pieces as
well. | |
| In October,
1995, the first American team competed in an international tournament at
the Second World Carrom Championships in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Indian
team however swept all events: men's and women's singles, doubles and team
competitions. Only one non-Asian made it as far as the quarterfinals,
American team captain, Billy Stevens. The US doubles team, able to score
only a single point against their Indian opponents, considered even that a
major, moral victory. |
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| The
game |
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The game is played on a square, wooden game board (29 inches
X 29 inches) with four, corner pockets and is played by flicking a
"striker" at the object pieces, resembling black and white checkers.
The goal is to sink your nine pieces, plus the red, "queen", in the
pockets first, thereby collecting points. Though the geometry may be
the same as pool, the physics and strategy are fascinatingly
different. | |
| The playing
surface of an ICF, regulation board is extremely smooth, making it a touch
game demanding a high degree of tactics. The frame is thick and hard,
giving a strong rebound that provides additional fast action. And, the
striker, which is always brought back to the "baseline" for the next shot,
is about three times heavier than the object pieces. This greater mass
permits a wide variety of "board management" techniques (the strategy of
setting up future shots while disrupting your opponent's) and extremely
complex plays. |
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| How to
Play Carrom |
How to
Play The Game:
| From the operational Angle, Carrom does not require elaborate
preparation. A singles game can straightaway begin with two players,
sitting opposite to each other. A spin of coin settles as to who
should have the first hit. The Carromman should be arranged in a
flat position, with the queen occupying center circle, and the rest
of the Carromman so placed around the queen in the first row,
keeping white & black Carromman alternately. All the Carromman,
so placed, as above shall be arranged in a compact round, touching
one another within the outer circle. The opener shall have white
Carromman to strike, while his opponent sinks the black
Carromman. |
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| In a doubles
game four persons comprising two teams, sit opposite to each other,
occupying all the four sides. At the end of each board, the scores decide
the winner with a point each for the Carromman and 3 points for the queen
if already pocketed by him, The player who reaches 25 points first wins
the game. |
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| INTERNATIONAL STATUS |
| The game of
carrom is international in character and status. It is played in more than
30 countries. This game is supervised and controlled at international
level by the International Carrom Federation. At present National
Federations of 15 countries viz. U.K., USA, Germany, Switzerland, Italy,
Japan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, France, Singapore, Bangladesh,
Australia, Portugal and India are affiliated to the International Carrom
Federation. The Asian Carrom Confederation was formed at Male', Maldives
in 1995 with His Excellency, Maumoon Abul Gayoom, President of Republic of
Maldives as its Patron-in-Chief. |
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| INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS |
| The
International Carrom Federation has organised two World Championships at
New Delhi during October 1991 and at Colombo (Sri Lanka) during October
1995. Apart from World Championships many international Tournaments have
been organised in U.K., U.S.A., Germany, Switzerland, U.A.E., France,
Maldives, Sri Lanka. Test Series between India and other countries like
Sri Lanka, U.K., Germany and France are held on bilateral basis.
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| INDIANS
RULE |
| The Indian
players are the World Champions in all categories of this game. They have
not only won both the World Championships but also all the international
tournaments held so far. |
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| NATIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIPS |
| The All
India Carrom Federation organises National Championships at Senior, Junior
(under 18 years of age) and Sub-junior (under 14 years of age) levels
every year. Apart from this, it is organising All India Federation Cup,
All India Invitation, All India Ranking, Zonal and Inter-Zonal Tournaments
every year. The Federation has already completed 81 National
Championships. |
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| HEADQUARTERS |
| The All
India Carrom Federation has its headquarters at the Indira Gandhi Indoor
Stadium, New Delhi. |
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| RECOGNITION |
| Carrom is a game recognised by the Government of India and
various State Governments. It is treated at par with other games. The
Government of India is releasing grant-in-aid for various National
Championships etc. to the Federation. Many Government offices and Public
Sector Undertakings also recruit Carrom players under 'Sports
Quota'. |
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| ARJUNA
AWARD |
| A. Maria
Irudayam, two times World Champion, 8 times National Champion and winner
of many international tournaments, was awarded the most prestigious ARJUNA
AWARD for the year 1996 by His Excellency, K.R. Narayanan, President of
India. |
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