Guest Author
By Shashin Surkund
Some families bond over movies. Mine bonded over carrom.
Growing up in South Mumbai, my love for the game started at home, thanks to my father’s passion for it. He taught me a unique style that still defines my game today: adding spin to the striker as it hits the coins.
My fondest memories are of Friday-night family tournaments. The stakes were surprisingly high — not money or trophies, but the right to choose the weekend menu. Over time, my mother and I became a formidable doubles team, much to the playful frustration of my father and sister. Our victories often resulted in celebratory chicken or fish curries lovingly prepared by my mom.
Carrom was also woven into the fabric of our community. In our cooperative housing society, Diwali meant more than lights and sweets, it meant sports competitions. For several years, I proudly held the title of unbeaten under-fifteen carrom champion. Visits from accomplished players such as Ramesh Chitty inspired all of us youngsters and showed us how much skill and artistry the game could contain.
A Journey Across Continents
When I moved to the United States in 1995 to pursue a career in technology, carrom slowly faded into the background. Life became busy, and I shifted my attention to sports like tennis and table tennis.
Then, nearly three decades later, carrom found its way back into my life.
In 2024, I introduced the game into my organization as part of an associate experience initiative. What began as a simple activity quickly became something much bigger.
I met fellow enthusiasts, rediscovered my passion for the game, and learned about a competitive carrom scene in North America that I never knew existed.
That single conversation reignited a lifelong love.
Discovering Competitive Carrom
The competitive side of the sport is led by the United States Carrom Association (USCA), which has been promoting carrom across North America since 1990. Its tournaments attract players from across the United States and Canada, creating an environment that is both welcoming and fiercely competitive.
This year, I entered ranked tournaments for the first time. Players compete in multiple round-robin matches, with rankings updated throughout the event. Strong performances can quickly elevate you into matches against some of the best players in the country.
My journey began at the NEUSCA Winter Tournament in New Jersey and continued at the US Nationals in Ohio. Competing in the Enthusiasts category, I reached the pre-quarterfinals and achieved a national ranking of 84 after only two tournaments.
More importantly, I gained something rankings cannot measure: the opportunity to learn from outstanding players, study new strategies, and experience the intensity of high-level competition.
One of the things I love most about the format is that every match matters. A strong performance can open doors quickly, and before you know it, you find yourself competing against players you once admired from afar.
The Rise of Team Carrom
Carrom’s growth in North America extends beyond traditional tournaments.
Inspired by franchise-based leagues in other sports, the North American Premier Carrom League (NAPCL) has introduced an exciting team format that brings together players of varying skill levels. Teams are intentionally balanced, allowing professionals and newcomers to compete side by side.
Earlier this year, I participated in the NAPCL Titan Championship in Cleveland, Ohio. While our team finished near the bottom of the standings, the experience was unforgettable. I won five of my nine matches and, more importantly, gained valuable lessons about teamwork, resilience, and competitive play.
Sometimes the most meaningful victories aren’t reflected on the leaderboard.
Growing the Game in North Carolina
One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been helping build the local carrom community.
The Friendship Carrom tournaments at the HSNC temple in the Raleigh-Durham area have long been a favorite gathering place for enthusiasts. I was fortunate to win the singles gold medal there in 2021.
Inspired by my experiences with USCA tournaments, I partnered with local organizers in 2026 to help run two community events. The response exceeded expectations and confirmed what I already believed: there is tremendous enthusiasm for the game.
My next goal is ambitious but achievable — to establish North Carolina as an official USCA chapter and eventually host a major tournament that attracts players from across North America.
Meeting My Heroes
This year also brought experiences I never imagined possible.
Within a span of just a few months, I met both Ajay Arora, the top-ranked player in the United States, and Prashant More, the world’s number one player.
At the US Nationals, I met Ajay along with his father and son, creating a memorable three-generation picture of dedication to the sport.
Later, during a visit to Mumbai, I met Prashant More while purchasing some of his custom strikers. He invited me to visit his club, where he trains for hours every day. Before I left, he gifted me a personalized striker, a gesture I will always treasure.
For a lifelong carrom enthusiast, it felt like meeting sporting royalty.
Your Turn to Strike
Carrom is far more than a tabletop game. It teaches patience, precision, strategy, resilience, and focus. It creates friendships, bridges generations, and reminds us that learning never stops.
My journey began on a small board in a Mumbai living room and has taken me to national tournaments, team leagues, and encounters with some of the best players in the world.
If this story sparks even a little curiosity, I encourage you to pick up a striker and give the game a try. You may discover, as I did, that every strike tells a story.
And perhaps your story is just getting started.
Websites and Resources
United States Carrom Association (USCA) (uscarrom.org)
US Open 2026 Carrom Championship (tournaments.uscarrom.org)
US Carrom Rankings (rankings.uscarrom.org)
Shop for Championship Carrom Boards (shop.uscarrom.org)
North American Premier Carrom League (napclpro.org)
RDU Friendship Carrom Leagues (friendshipleagues.com/carrom)
Shashin Surkund is a Mindset and Culture Change leader. As a corporate leader dedicated to cultivating workplace joy and purpose, he champions a professional philosophy rooted in gratitude, positive mindset, and strategic clarity. Whether inspiring teams to elevate their inner dialogue or bringing the sharp focus of a competitive carrom player to driving collaborative success, his mission is to align performance with passion. Contact: shashin.surkund@gmail.com.
