Kandivali to hold school carrom tournament on Children's Day, free entry for under-14s

A carrom tournament for schoolchildren has been organised in Kandivali West on Children's Day. The sixth Pralhad Nalawade Memorial School Carrom Tournament will be played on Friday, November 14. Its aim is to promote the carrom skills of schoolchildren.

The tournament is being organised jointly by Ideal Sports Academy, Shashikala Foundation and Avinash Nalawade Sports. Schoolboys and schoolgirls below 14 can take part and will not have to pay any entry fee. Eight winners will be honoured with prizes.

The matches will be played at the auditorium of Mumbai Public School in Sainagar, Kandivali West. Singles carrom has been kept for both boys and girls. It will give new players a chance to show their skills and also an experience of a competitive atmosphere.

The tournament is held in memory of the late Pralhad Nalawade. He was fond of carrom and always encouraged new and upcoming players. In 2019, Ideal Sports Academy held the first Mayor's Cup School Carrom Tournament. More than 200 players took part, and Nalawade gave every one of them a free striker. His aim was to inspire children to play carrom and to make sure new players got the equipment they needed.

To keep alive the memory of Nalawade's love of the game, the Pralhad Nalawade Memorial Cup School Carrom Tournament is held. This year is its sixth edition. According to the organisers, convenors Liladhar Chavan and Rameshwar Lohe are making special efforts to keep the tradition going.

Children who wish to take part should contact joint secretary Omkar Chavan or Santosh Jadhav for entry forms and more information, the organisers said. The last date for registration is November 9. The organisers have appealed to interested players to register before that date.