Male' Maldives: The 7th Carrom World Cup is underway at the Barceló Nasandhura Hotel in Malé, marking the Maldives’ return as host after an 11-year gap since the tournament was last held in the country at Sun Island Resort in 2014.
This year’s edition has brought together 17 nations and more than 150 players, making the capital a global stage for one of the sport’s most prestigious competitions.
The team events have now concluded, with India emerging as champions in both the men’s and women’s categories following decisive victories in the finals.
In the Men’s Team Event final, India secured a clean 3–0 win over Sri Lanka. Prashant More opened the tie with a 2–1 victory against Anas Ahmed, taking the first set 25–14 with a black slam, dropping the second 20–15, and sealing the decider 25–14, where both players recorded a white slam. The doubles pairing of Abhijit and Sandeep followed with another 2–1 win over Nishantha and Kaveen, taking the first set 20–15, conceding the second 25–14, and dominating the third 25–8. Srinivas then completed India’s sweep with a strong 2–1 win against Shaheed Hilmy, recovering from a 25–15 loss in the opening set to claim the next two decisively, 25–8 and 25–6, achieving a white slam in the final set.
India also sealed the Women’s Team Event title with a 3–0 victory against the Maldives. In the opening doubles match, Mithra and Kajal Kumari overcame Aishath Nahufa and Fathimath Rayana 2–1, winning the first set 25–8, dropping the second 17–13, and taking the third 25–5. Khazima then delivered a commanding performance in singles, defeating Aminath Vidhaadh in straight sets, 24–8 and 25–8. Keerthana closed the tie with another straight-sets win, beating Aishath Fainaz 24–6 and 25–1.
India’s dominance has also been evident in the doubles events, which have likewise concluded. In the Men’s Doubles final, K. Srinivas and Abhijit Tripankar produced a commanding performance against compatriots Prashant More and Sadeep Dive, winning 2–0 with identical 24–5 set scores.
The Women’s Doubles final saw another all-India contest, where L. Keerthana and Kajal Kumar prevailed over V. Mithra and M. Khazima in a three-set thriller. After taking the first set 16–15 and losing the second 10–25, the pair regrouped to secure the decisive set 19–16, reinforcing India’s exceptional form at this year’s World Cup.
With India sweeping both team and doubles titles, the 7th Carrom World Cup continues to highlight the nation’s stronghold in the sport as the remaining events progress in Malé.
