Pune: The 3rd All-India New India Assurance Carrom Tournament will be held at the Boxing Hall of the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Mhalunge-Balewadi here from February 22 to 24.
As many as 28 teams from across the country, including five from Mumbai Regional Office of the New India Assurance Company Limited and two from Delhi Regional Office will compete in the three-day event, hosted by The New India Assurance Sports Club. The tournament will have team championship, singles and doubles for men and women.
The tournament, to be conducted on knockout basis, will see Mumbai II taking on Hyderabad in the opening match in the first round of the team championship. Four teams—Bangalore, New India Assurance Head Office, Mumbai I, and Chennai—have been given first round byes directly into the pre-quarterfinals. Twenty-four teams will compete in the first round and 12 winners will join the four to make up the pre-quarterfinal line-up.
“New India Assurance has long realized the need for encouraging sports activities in various fields since it strongly believes that employees with a healthy body and mind performs their official functions to the best of their abilities,” said Mr G. C. Sharma, Deputy General Manager, Pune Regional Office, New India Assurance Company Limited.
The team championship will follow the singles and doubles competition during the meet squeezed in three days that will make an action packed schedule at the Boxing Hall.
While the first two days will see early rounds being played with all finals slated for the final day on February 24.
“We have been regularly holding all-India and zonal tournaments amongst our employees in various sporting activities such as cricket, table tennis, badminton, kabaddi, chess and carrom,” informed Mr A. B. Dange, Chief Manager and Vice-President, New India Assurance Sports Club, Mumbai.
The inaugural function will be held on Wednesday, February 22 at 8.30 am with Mishra, General Manager, The New India Assurance Company Limited, being the chief guest.
A R Sekar, Chairman and Managing Director of The New India Assurance Company Limited will chair the closing ceremony on February 24 at 4 pm with Mr R. K. Deka, General Manager and President of The New India Assurance Sports Club being the guest of honour.