Rajiv Gandhi 2nd World Cup Carrom Tournament from Nov 17-21

Indore, Nov 15(UNI) The five-day Rajiv Gandhi Second World Cup Carrom Tournament will get underway on November 17 in New Delhi.

Seventeen countries, including the US, the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Switzerland, Netherlands, UAE, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives, had already confirmed their participation in the tournament.

Swiss League Singles, Open Doubles, Men Singles and Women Singles events would be organised during the tournament -- organised by the All India Carrom Federation as a part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations.

India is hosting a major international carrom tournament in New Delhi for the third time. Earlier, it had hosted First World Championship in 1991, Third World Championship in 2000 and Eighth SAARC Championship in 2004.

In a release, organising Committee Chairman Jai Prakash Agarwal said the World Cup will have special attraction of Open Singles event of Swiss League which will be held on November 17 and 18.

This would be for the first time that Swiss League event was being played in India. In the Swiss League Singles men and women players would play together and the top two meet in the final.

Besides this, top three women players, top three European players, top three Asian players (from non-medallist countries) and the top player from the US will be awarded special prizes.

The Swiss League will be followed by Open Doubles and Men and Women Singles events.

Mr Agrawal said Indian players are the world champions in this game and are maintaining their supremacy despite tough challenge from many countries.

They had so far won all the previous international tournaments including four World Carrom Championships, one World Cup, ICF Cup Carrom Tournaments and ten SAARC Countries Carrom Championships and the Asian Carrom Championship, he added.

UNI AA PS 1000