Male' Maldives: Carrom Association of Maldives (CAM) President Ibrahim Rasheed praised the successful staging of the 7th Carrom World Cup in Malé, calling it a proud moment for the nation and a reflection of the Maldives’ growing presence in international sports.
Speaking at the closing ceremony at Barceló Nasandhura, he said hosting 17 nations was “a tremendous honour” and thanked ICF President Josef Meyer and Secretary General V.D. Narayan for their collaboration and guidance in delivering a tournament that met global standards.
Ibrahim Rasheed expressed deep gratitude to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu for their continuous support in elevating Maldivian sports, and offered special appreciation to ICF Vice President and CAM General Secretary Hussain Raushaan, whose efforts he noted were instrumental in the success of this year’s event.
He commended all participating countries for their passion and sportsmanship, and thanked organisers, umpires, and volunteers for their dedication behind the scenes.
Ibrahim Rasheed added that the Maldives takes pride not only in showcasing its natural beauty but also in proving its capability to host high-level international sporting events, emphasising that this World Cup marks “the beginning of a stronger, more active chapter for carrom in the Maldives.”
India dominated the 7th Carrom World Cup, sweeping titles across the singles, doubles, team, and Swiss League events.
Keerthana Loganathan won the Women’s Singles title, defeating fellow Indian Kajal Kumari, while Khazima Mahaboob Masha secured third place. In the Men’s Singles, Prashant More claimed his third World Cup crown by overcoming Srinivas Komaravelli, with Abhijit Tripankar finishing third.
The Swiss League concluded with Abdul Asif (India) taking first place, followed by Hafizur Rahman (Bangladesh) in second and K. Srinivas (India) in third. India’s supremacy continued in the team and doubles finals, where both the men's and women’s squads secured decisive victories.
Held from December 2–6, the tournament gathered more than 150 players from around the world, marking the Maldives’ first time hosting the World Cup since 2014 and reaffirming the country’s rising profile as a destination for major international sporting events.
