<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/carrom-and-camaraderie-in-the-colony-23267775" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Carrom</a> is a pastime for some, a sport for others employed by corporates. But for Zaid Ahmed Farooquee, it is his only source of income.
Farooquee won the Maharashtra Open Carrom Challenger&rsquo;s Trophy 2023-2024 at the Bharat Scouts &amp; Guides Hall, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-diary-sunday-dossier-23327537" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Shivaji Park</a>, last Friday. The Maharashtra Carrom Association (MCA)-organised and LIC-sponsored tournament carried a total prize money of Rs seven lakh.
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In the final, Farooquee defeated former national champion Zaheer Pasha 2-0 to win R1.5 lakh in prize money. In the semi-finals, Farooquee beat former world champion Prashant More 22-4, 10-7. When asked about his toughest match in the tournament, Farooquee pointed to his pre-quarter-final 9-13, 17-9, 19-13 win over Ganesh Taware. &ldquo;While all the matches were tough, I was about to lose to Taware. I won because he missed out on timing. That was the turning point in the tournament for me. But winning this tournament is big for me; a dream,&rdquo; Farooquee &nbsp;told <a href="http://www.mid-day.com">www.mid-day.com</a>.
Also Read: <a class="ng-binding" href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/photo/in-photos-ind-vs-eng-3rd-test-five-key-takeaways-from-indias-historic-win-99528" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">IN PHOTOS | IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Five key takeaways from India's historic win</a>
Farooquee, a former India No.6, stressed how carrom is his life and that he doesn&rsquo;t know anything else that can earn him money. The prize money he gets playing tournaments is what helps contribute to his family expenses. &ldquo;I started playing carrom in 2000 and have been hooked since. I quit school as I was mad about the sport. My late father Shakeel Ahmed [passed away in 2014] and mother Shabana kept telling me to complete my education, but I dropped out in Class VII. When my dad was alive, I would help him in his [clothing] business. Once he passed away, the business shut and I am jobless since. I run my house from whatever I earn from playing tournaments. From 2018 till 2020, I would get a sports scholarship of R 13,000 every month. But that stopped when COVID struck. I am able to survive since I stay in a joint family. My younger brothers Saif, Sufiyaan and Faizan are drivers. Whatever they earn, they contribute to the family. Else, I wouldn&rsquo;t have been able to take care of my mother, wife Ruksar and my four kids,&rdquo; revealed Farooquee.
The prize money earned from the Maharashtra Open couldn&rsquo;t have come at a better time. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a real struggle to have a steady income. Since I am not educated, I can&rsquo;t get a job. I hope to get one through sports quota. I am ready to take up any job,&rdquo; he signed off.
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Jobless Bhiwandi-based player wins R1.5 lakh for emerging triumphant in Maharashtra Open Carrom Challenger’s Trophy

Prize money from carrom triumph, a Godsend for Farooquee

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Prize money from carrom triumph, a Godsend for Farooquee

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