Located in an aqua worn building with the sliding ground covered with an excessive boric powder, a roof sensitive to heavy rain and the extreme heat, and a limited space, stands the center of coaches Cheriyan Nagar Carrom, which houses the World Cup champion M. Khazima.
It is in this modest center, founded by his father, Mahboob Basha, that his dreams began to take shape. After its victory in the sixth edition of the Carrom World Cup last year, the center proudly displays a vertical banner featuring its photo.
The banner featuring Khazima outside its training center. | Photo credit: Netra V
The banner featuring Khazima outside its training center. | Photo credit: Netra V
Khazima’s trip to become World Cup champion was not without challenges. Having grown up at Cheriyan Nagar, where her father worked as a rush driver, the 18-year-old woman always dreamed of excelling in Carrom. But it took 12 years of hard work, family support and a deep passion for sport to achieve its goal.
His love for Carrom started at six years old, looking at his brother, Abdul Rahman, playing and winning junior nationals. “I was fascinated by the success of my brother and I decided that I wanted to do the same. At the start, my father thought it was only an interest that passes – a young girl wanting to play like a hobby – but as people saw my goal, my dedication and my efforts, they encouraged him to train me, “recalls Khazima. She would not only win the title of the World Cup in simple female, but also the female double (with V Mithra) and team titles in the United States.
Before fully engaging with Carrom, Khazima liked to run. “In 4th or 5th standard, I won first place in a 3000m race at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in a tournament at the district. As the next competition was at the state level, my father decided not to do it. So, I stopped running in 6th year, “she recalls, marking the moment when she turned her attention to Carrom.
Challenges encountered
Khazima with his father, Mahboob Basha. | Photo credit: Siva Sankar. A
Khazima with his father, Mahboob Basha. | Photo credit: Siva Sankar. A
Financial difficulties were a constant challenge for Khazima. “There were times when my father had to borrow money for tournaments, but I always thought that if I continued to work hard, things would be better,” she said.
Her perseverance borne fruit when she obtained third place in senior nationals and won the Federation Cup last year, opening the door to participate in the World Cup.
However, his chance to represent India almost escaped. “My visa was rejected twice. They feared to settle abroad after having finished school, but I never abandoned. I knew that my time would come.
Read also | With a steep learning curve for the Indian Bow, the archers are looking to graduate
Rashmi Kumari, a national champion at 12 times and double world champion, has consoled and prayed for her to get the visa.
When she finally arrived in the United States, it was not the great opportunity she had imagined. Cold, unknown food and adaptation to a new time zone have made experience difficult. However, Khazima reached the final.
In one of the most dramatic moments of her career, she found herself to follow 19-0 in the third and last match against Compassriot Rashmi. “At that time, I said to myself,” I can’t give up. I trained too hard for that ”, she said. The rest is history. Khazima organized an incredible return, winning the last 25-23, 22-25, 25-24. “Rashmi’s husband told her that since she prayed for me to do well (when my visa was rejected), her prayers worked and I defeated her to win the final,” said Khazima.
Mentor and model
The victory was sweet not only for Khazima, but also for his father, who had supported him with each trial. Despite its success, Khazima remains anchored. “I did not expect to win the three titles for which I participated in the World Cup. I focused on doing my best, especially in the simple event. »»
Khazima attributes to Maria Irudayam, a national champion of nine times, double world champion and secretary of the Chennai District Carrom Association, for having played a vital role in her career. “Maria Sir has helped me a lot since 2019. He taught me many new techniques and has provided financial support,” explains Khazima, who is currently studying Ba Corporate Economics in Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College.
Twice world champion, and secretary of the Chennai district Carrom Association Maria Irudayam. | Photo credit: Hindu archives
Twice world champion, and secretary of the Chennai district Carrom Association Maria Irudayam. | Photo credit: Hindu archives
Although she learned a lot of Irudayam, it is the style of play of the former player of India B. Radhakrishnan that she admires and hopes to imitate. “I grew up looking, Radhakrishnan Sir. Even if he no longer plays, whenever I go to nationals, people always ask why he is not there. Even today, when he plays, the public and the players are inspired by him. I want to be like him one day, ”explains the youngest World Cup champion.
Although she admired the two players, it was her father who trained her from the start. “Only at home, it’s my father; In the center, he is my coach. It has been like that and will continue to be the same, “explains Khazima, who is also part of a scholarship with Indian Oil Corporation in the past two years.
Support system
His father’s unshakable support was the cornerstone of his success. Basha, who once relied on his rickshaws to earn a living, did not touch her in the past year and a half, keeping him covered. “I have not renewed my automatic license. My children don’t want me to go back to driving, ”he said proudly. After Covid-19, he stopped driving the car and began to sell tea near the center to support his family.
Khazima and his father thank the chief minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin and the Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for having not only awarded him a prize in cash of 1 Rupes after his victory, but also to help his trip to the United States with Rs 1.5 Lakh.
“I do not think that another Carrom player has received such a prize from the government. This is the first time. Before that, many players have left sport due to a lack of financial support, “said Khazima.
Call change
The Cheryan Nagar Carrom coach center desperately needs renovation. | Photo credit: Siva Sankar A
The Cheryan Nagar Carrom coach center desperately needs renovation. | Photo credit: Siva Sankar A
The Cheriyan Nagar Carrom Coaching Center, which houses around 40 players aged 6 to 16, desperately needed renovation. The small building on one floor shelters six Carrom tables, each with four stools, bulbs suspended above and two small fans.
When the center was founded for the first time by Basha and his friend in 2014, there were only three Carrom tables, which were all bought with their own money. “The three tables we bought then cost approximately Rs 4000-6000. Now prices have increased to Rs 13,500, ”explains Basha.
While Khazima has won several national trophies, the center produced 13 other players who won national titles in different age categories. However, the center is plagued by problems such as the lack of sink facilities and an inadequate roof.
“Like Khazima, about 10 to 15 girls train here, but due to the lack of toilet, we had to count on neighbors for access to the toilet. I am grateful for their support, because he made the girls play, ”explains Khazima’s father, Basha.
The roof flees during the rainy season, flooding the center and the summer heat makes training difficult. Despite these challenges, the determination of players remains strong.
Without structure of fixed costs and limited resources, Basha maintained the center on the march for 11 years. “It is not difficult to open a coache center, but managing it for 11 years is a huge challenge. Most people here come from working class families and pay minimum costs – sometimes as little as Rs 200 or Rs 300, “he said.
Despite these problems, practice is an absolute priority in the center, Khazima giving an example by training 9 to 10 hours a day. Basha believes that players must be given freedom with their training times. “We have no fixed schedule. We play all the time, and that’s how they improve, ”he adds.
Read also | Rejuvenated Anshul jubli ready to “dominate” Quillan Salkilld at the UFC 312
To improve the conditions of the center, Khazima asked for aid from the state government to renovation. With promises of support and renovation expected soon, Basha hopes that the number of players will increase. “We currently have around 40 players, many of whom are state or national medalists. Once the renovation is finished, we expect 12-14 Carrom tables and around 100 to join us. It would be an honor if Udhayanidhi Stalin could inaugurate the center, “he said.
One of the sacrifices that the World Cup champion must make is to give up luxury to spend time on his phone like his peers. “I don’t spend much time on my phone because it affects my hand coordination, my thumb and concentration. I avoid social media because it is dependence, ”she explains.
The 18 -year -old believes that Carrom deserves more media attention. “Carrom is also a sport. There are scholarships and job opportunities for players. If he was publicly broadcast, he could reach the same level as cricket, “she said, hope for the future of sport.
The Khazima 2025 calendar is filled with several tournaments, the most important being the senior nationals, from March 17 to 21 in Delhi, which serves as a ticket for the Carrom world championships.
While children in the center may not fully understand the extent of his international success, Khazima hopes that his victory will inspire others to chase away their sports dreams. Staying faithful to his motto, “never, never, never abandoned”, which is stuck on the walls of the center, Khazima believes that no dream is too big.
(Tagstranslate) Khazima
