ONGC All India Public Sector Carrom Tournament from tomorrow

Bangalore, Apr 14 (UNI) Defending Champion ONGC was expected to face a tough challenge from the star studded Indian Airlines when the ONGC All India Public Sector Carrom Tournament gets underway in the Karnataka Billiards Association here from tomorrow.

Reigning world champion R M Shankara and Asia Cup winner M Nataraj can be seen in action playing for bettering the chances of Indian Airlines lifting the trophy.

In all 14 teams, 10 Men and Four Women, from various public sector units including Air India, Indian Airlines, BSNL, Indian OIL, BPCL and ONGC are participating in the four-day event, according to a release here from ONGC which is sponsoring the Tournament.

In the Women section, the defending champions Life Insurance Corporation of India starts favourites with the current world champion S Apoorva and six time National champion and the former world champion P Nirmala in their ranks. Their main challenge is likely to come from BSNL who have in-form current national champion Rashmi Kumari and Assam Champion Bhanu Das.

UNI