BANGALORE: Perhaps there is hardly a house in the country which does not have a carrom board or a chess board. But carrom has slipped into the shadows while chess is in the limelight at all levels.
Carrom stars like Kavita Somanchi have been doing their best to raise the profile of the game with their exploits at home and abroad.
Bangalore's very own Kavita recently took part in the Carrom World Cup in Maldives and returned with two runner-up medals, singles and doubles.
The women singles title was bagged by former World Cup winner and two-time world champion Rashmi Kumari of India. Rashmi defeated Kavita in straight sets. The pair of P Jayashree and Rashmi defeated Kajol and Kavita in the doubles final.
K Srinivas of Hyderabad, the reigning national champion and winner of the international tourney of 'Champion of Champions,' won the men's singles and doubles titles as well.
A total of 17 countries including Sri Lanka, Maldives, USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Qatar and Pakistan took part in the event.
Thus, Kavita's performance was truly splendid as the opposition was tough.
Employed with the Reserve Bank of India, she joined them under the sports quota in 2000. She has represented the country for more than a decade at major international events like the US Open, Malaysian Open, SAARC Championship, World Championship and World Cup, winning medals consistently. "I have a dream and that is to become India No 1 and also to win the World Cup title, which has somehow eluded me thus far," said Kavita.
Kavita inherited the talent from her parents, especially her mother Vijaylakshmi Somanchi who was the national champion four times. "Inspiration and support has also come from my family and a supportive husband and in-laws," Kavita explained.
She feels carrom players must be considered for honours such as the Rajotsava Award and Eklavya Award. "All games and sports must be treated equally. Every player of world class stature puts in a lot of hard work and dedication," she said.
She said she would always continue to pursue her individual goals at the same time aim to bring glory to her state and country.