The United States Carrom Association (USCA) successfully hosted the 29th edition of the MATA US Nationals Carrom Championship from May 2 to May 4 in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, marking a major milestone for the sport in America. The prestigious event drew over 150 players representing 22 states, setting a new participation record, according to a press release issued by the association.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, the USCA collaborated with the Mana American Telugu Association (MATA) to organize the national-level championship. This inaugural partnership added a new dimension to the competition and brought in a fresh wave of enthusiasm among players and fans alike. “This event was not only a celebration of skill and sportsmanship but also a testament to the power of collaboration between organizations with a shared vision for promoting carrom,” said the organizers.
The tournament was spearheaded by the USCA core committee, whose leadership played a central role in ensuring its success. The committee included Atul Bhave as President, Chandrashekar Dashudu as Vice President, Roshan Muhsin as Secretary, Roshan Rauff as Tournament Director, Veerraju Dhavileswarapu as Treasurer, Srikanth Munagala as Associate Vice President, Shailesh Mokashi as Logistics Director, and Shakeel Baig as Deputy Secretary.
The USCA extended its gratitude to MATA for serving as the event’s title sponsor. “MATA’s contributions played a pivotal role in making the event a grand success,” the organizers stated. Special thanks were reserved for Suresh Kajana, the Sports Director of MATA, “whose dedication and leadership were instrumental throughout the planning and execution of the tournament.”
In the highly anticipated Men’s Singles final, Ajay Arora from Pennsylvania emerged victorious, clinching his second national title by defeating Vikas Koshti of Texas, who was playing in his first US Nationals final. Arora secured the win with scores of 25-11 and 23-14. The defending champion, Deep Joshi of Washington, secured third place after an intense match against Preeti Jhakotia from California. Jhakotia, who is ranked third globally among women and is also the 2025 Doubles Champion, showcased her prowess throughout the tournament.
Jhakotia, alongside fellow Californian Panna Chowdhury, went on to win the Doubles Championship. They outplayed the team of Ashok from California and Shibu Jose from Dallas in a closely fought final. The event also featured standout moments, including two white slams—one each by Madhu Kalya from Dallas and Ajay Arora—demonstrating a high level of skill and mastery of the game.
A historic development at this year’s championship was the introduction of the Juniors US Nationals. Seen as a significant step toward the sport’s future growth, the youth-focused segment was described by the organizers as a “vital investment in the future of carrom, aimed at engaging youth and cultivating emerging talent.”
The Junior Championship finals were met with great enthusiasm. Fifteen-year-old Aditya Godugu captured the top honor, while seventeen-year-old Advaith Godugu took second place. Thirteen-year-old Vaidehi Kadam impressed the crowd and judges alike, earning third place. “The enthusiasm and skill displayed by these young competitors signal a vibrant future for the sport,” organizers noted.
Another significant achievement was the tournament’s expansion into the digital arena. The MATA XXIX US Nationals saw unprecedented global engagement thanks to its strategic alliance with SportivAI. Over 150 Singles and Doubles matches were live-streamed using advanced features such as score overlays and real-time analytics. The broadcast attracted 18,000 views and 1,600 watch hours in just two days, showcasing the tournament’s rising popularity worldwide.
Carrom Pro, a key technology partner, provided vital support for live commentary during the Singles and Doubles finals. Their involvement allowed fans across the globe to enjoy uninterrupted coverage of the championship’s most crucial moments—completely free of charge.
The tournament concluded with a vibrant closing ceremony attended by several notable political and community leaders. Among the dignitaries present were Middlesex County Commissioner Shanti Narra, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Upendra Chivukula, Jersey City Council candidate Shahab Khan, Jersey City mayoral hopeful Mussab Ali, and Edison Council President Nitesh Patel.
In their closing remarks, USCA President Atul Bhave and MATA President Ramana K Kiran Duddagi expressed heartfelt thanks to all the participants, attendees, volunteers, and supporters who made the event a grand success.
Adding a cultural flair to the closing ceremony were special musical performances by acclaimed Indian music director Raghu Kunche and renowned playback singer Anjana Sowmya. The two artists flew in from India specifically to perform at the event, giving attendees a memorable cultural experience in addition to the competitive sporting action.
The championship also saw a generous distribution of prize money, with a total pool exceeding $9,200 awarded across all categories. The prize funding was made possible by the support of title sponsor MATA.
Additional sponsors contributed to the event’s success, including SportivAI, Unify Sports Academy Foundation, New York Life, Dosa & Biryani House, Cell Revolution, Carrom Pro, Baymont Inn, RealTech, adAmerindo, and Sasha Realty. On the media front, coverage was provided by ITV Gold, Parikh World Media, and several other outlets.
The tournament’s smooth execution was thanks in part to the hard work of a dedicated team of volunteers led by Sricharan Kajana. Behind the scenes, a strong officiating crew played a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the matches. The referee panel was headed by Chief Referee Sam Mallisetti and included Arun Kumar, Laxminarayanapuram Subramanian, Panna Chowdhury, Umakanth Pandurangaiah, Oscar Philips, and Yogi Narayan.
Commentary throughout the matches was provided by a skilled panel that included Dr. Nilesh Mehta, Murali Balasubramaniam, Shibu Jose, Mandar Ashtekar, Bala Parthasarathy, and Atul Bhave, ensuring that fans and players alike stayed informed and engaged during the games.
In all, the 29th MATA US Nationals was not just a competitive sporting event but a celebration of community, youth involvement, digital outreach, and cultural pride. With record-breaking participation, innovative partnerships, and global viewership, the tournament set a new standard for the promotion and celebration of carrom in the United States.