Ajay Arora Dominates NEUSCA Winter 2025 Carrom Championship

0
- ADVERTISEMENT -
Share
From Left to Right: Ajay Arora – Dominating the NEUSCA Singles Championship 2025 with an exceptional showcase of skill and determination on January 25th. Abul Shakeel Baig (President) and Saravanan Babu (Runner-up & 12-time National Champion) stand alongside, celebrating an electrifying final. Photo Credit: NEUSCA

NEUSCA 2025 Winter Event Report The NEUSCA Winter 2025 Carrom Championship, held at Baymont by Wyndham Pompton Plains from January 25th to 26th, delivered an electrifying showcase of talent and sportsmanship. Carrom enthusiasts from across the USA gathered to witness intense competition, culminating in Ajay Arora’s triumphant victory. By securing the USA Rank #1 for the second consecutive year, Arora reaffirmed his dominance in the sport.

Celebrating a Decade of NEUSCA Carrom Championships

Marking its 10th anniversary, the NEUSCA Carrom Championship has grown significantly since its inception. What began as a modest tournament with just 12 players has expanded to feature over 115 participants. This year alone saw 20 new entrants, further strengthening the carrom community. NEUSCA’s contribution to the sport has been immense, producing over 100 competitive players, including five ranked within the top 40 of the USCA rankings.

The championship celebrations kicked off with a grand gala dinner on January 24th, featuring live music and dance performances, setting a lively tone for the weekend’s competitions.

Arshad Shaik (Secretary) and Roshan Muhsin (Vice President) entertaining with lively music. Photo Credit: NEUSCA

New NEUSCA Leadership Announced

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Under the guidance of Tournament Director Roshan Rauff and leadership from key members, the NEUSCA committee underwent notable changes. The newly elected officials include:

  • President: Arshad Shaik
  • Vice President: Prabhu Raj
  • Secretary: Razeen Rafaideen
  • Technical Director: Oscar Phillips
  • Treasurer: Amaan Ghazaly

This leadership team is expected to bring fresh perspectives to further elevate the status of carrom in the USA.

Tournament Format and Rankings

The tournament followed a Swiss Round Robin (SRR) system, ensuring a fair and competitive experience for all players. Participants were ranked and divided into four divisions:

  • Champions Division (Top 16 Singles, Top 8 Doubles)
  • Challengers Division (Ranked 17-32 Singles, 9-16 Doubles)
  • Enthusiasts Division (Ranked 33-48 Singles, 17-24 Doubles)
  • Aspirants Division (Ranked 49-64 Singles, 25-32 Doubles)

Live Streaming and Digital Coverage

To enhance the experience for fans, Carrom Pro (Joshua and Jarred) provided high-quality live streaming throughout the event. Cell Revolution also contributed by supplying mobile devices for additional live coverage, extending the championship’s digital reach.

Championship Highlights

Singles Championship

In an intense final, Ajay Arora (PA) faced off against Saravanan Babu (OH), displaying remarkable skill to claim the title for the second consecutive year.

Doubles Championship

The doubles final featured Ajay Arora (PA) & Shibu Jose (TX) battling against Moaz Shaik & Kamal Umair (Canada). After a gripping contest, Arora and Jose emerged victorious.

NEUSCA’s Gratitude and Acknowledgements

NEUSCA extends heartfelt thanks to Madhuveer from Core Hive, the event’s title sponsor, as well as Achuta & Kavita Ji, and Dr. Shivaram & Vineeta from NY Life, for their generous support. Special recognition goes to dedicated volunteers Tariq Hussain, Talha, and Rinku Singh from Westchester, along with Chief Referee Sam and his referee team.

Doubles Finalists with Committee: Abul Shakeel Baig, Roshan Rauff, Shibu Jose, Ajay Arora, Moaz Shaik, Umair Kamal, and Arshad Shaik. Photo Credit: NEUSCA

Tournament Winners

Champions Division

  • Singles Winner: Ajay Arora (PA)
  • Runner-up: Saravanan Babu (OH)
  • Doubles Winners: Ajay Arora (PA) & Shibu Jose (TX)

Challengers Division

  • Singles Winner: Ashok Varadhan (OH)
  • Doubles Winners: Saravanan Babu (OH) & Satish Dupati (OH)

Enthusiasts Division

  • Singles Winner: Razeen Rafaideen (NY)
  • Doubles Winners: Lalit Chauhan (NJ) & Arun Arora (PA)

Aspirants Division

  • Singles Winner: Rajeev Joshi (VI)
  • Doubles Winners: Umakanth Pandurangiah (VA) & Govi Sriram (Canada)

Special Recognitions

  • Best NEUSCA New Player: Anil S (TX)
  • Best Local Player (Tri-State): Arshad Shaik (NJ)
  • Slammers Award: Umair Kamal (White Slam)