With BOSM around the corner, the BOSM English Press caught up with the captain of the carrom team, Soma Saketh Ram, to get an insight into their preparations and what lies ahead for the team this year.
The game follows international carrom rules, which differ significantly from those commonly followed when playing recreationally. Each side is assigned one colour and can pocket only those coins, with the player earning points based on the number of opposition coins left on the board once all of their own have been pocketed. The queen is worth 3 points, compared with 1 point for each black and white coin. Unlike the commonly played version, where players may simply count the coins they pocket, the international format places greater emphasis on the coins remaining on the board.
The recruitment process could become pretty competitive, with around 80-100 people fighting for just four to five spots on the team. Out of the current 22 members of the team, 15 of them would be participating in BOSM. They are further divided into three teams: Team A, Team B and Team C. Eight to ten teams are competing at this year’s BOSM, with Team A and Team B sharing a history of intense rivalry.
Regarding practice sessions, Saketh said they usually happen from 8:00 to 10:00 PM every day. Attendance had been consistent, and the sessions had been progressing smoothly without any major hiccups. He added that the team feels the practice sessions so far have been quite rewarding and engaging, making them all the more confident and well prepared for upcoming matches in BOSM. Discussing matches and practice sessions, Soma highlighted the importance of presence of mind and calmness with which one approaches the shot.
Saketh then talked about the team’s memorable performance last year at InterBITS(held at the Hyderabad campus and also one of the team’s first outstation experiences), where they managed to win silver. He highlighted how the silver medal served not only as a valuable strategic learning experience for the team but also as a meaningful bonding experience. It created lasting memories that brought the team closer, both on and off the field, and strengthened their relationships in real life.
Coming to his tenure as a captain, Saketh began with how he tried out for multiple teams in his first semester but gravitated towards carrom owing to the dedication and competitiveness displayed by the seniors. Talking about his experience as a captain, he emphasised that it is not just about leadership but also about managing every player’s concerns and issues while leading the team together.