The BOSM English Press recently had a conversation with Shobhit Rathi, the captain of the Carrom team, to learn more about the team’s preparations for BOSM 2024.

The game consists of nine dark-coloured and light-coloured pieces each (one point), a red queen (five points), a striker, and a board with pockets located at each corner. The objective is to score 25 points before the opposition, by pocketing the pieces using the striker. BOSM will feature teams of four to five, with two singles and two doubles matches played between two teams.

Talking about the team’s practice regimen, Shobhit shared that they had been practising since August from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM. The aim of these sessions is to enhance the players’ thinking process and game strategy. They recruited seven students this semester, shortlisted from over 70 who had applied. Sharing the challenges faced by the team, he recounted an incident when they returned to the carrom room and found a pound of the carrom powder spilt all over the room.

Shobhit highlighted that the team had secured both gold and silver medals in the last two editions of BOSM, and they aim to continue the legacy. Talking about their competition during BOSM, he expressed that the other teams have a few really good players. Shedding light on his experience as the captain, he explained that it was very different from his previous years as a player, as now his ‘job is more about teaching’ than about playing himself, since the team does not have a coach.

On a concluding note, he urged the GBM to support the team and reiterated their aim to bag the gold and silver medals this year.