CMC retain carrom doubles title

Anuradha Abeysekara

M Sherifdeen (right extreme) and M T M Hilmi (left extreme) with Carrom secretar of CMC's Play Grounds and Recreation Department Nushad Haq.

M Sherifdeen and M T M Hilmi of Colombo Municipal Council's (CMC) Play Grounds and Recreation Department once again proved their excellence at the 45th Carrom Nationals by winning the men's double championship for the consecutive second year. The Championship was conducted by the Carrom Federa of Sri Lanka (CFSL) and worked off at the CFSL head quarters, Maharagama.

Hilmi and Sherifdeen won the title this year by beating SL Navy's Nishantha Fernando and Lahiru Eshan in the final 11/25, 25/0, 25/12. Nishantha is the present world singles champion and Lahiru is ranked as number seventh at the national level.

It has been a significant achievement by the CMC players as the same pair secured the doubles title for second time in a row beating strong opponents included a world title holder. Hilmi is a former four-time National Champion and has not been in the carrom scene due to a ban for a long time. It is a good omen for Sri Lanka carrom to see him back in the sport.

Hilmi and Sherifdeen thanked the Carrom Secretary of the CMC's Play Grounds and Recreation Department Nushad Haq who has been a great pillar of strength for them in their recent success. "It was Nushad's instructions and guidance brought us this far and he is working hard to promote carrom in Colombo," said the national doubles champions.