M.B. Khazima, an 18-year-old from Chennai, has etched her name in history by winning three titles at the Carrom World Cup in the USA, bringing pride to her community and fulfilling a long-cherished family dream.
Hailing from a humble background, Khazima’s journey has been one of resilience and faith. “All glory belongs to God,” reads the banner at the entrance of her father’s modest coaching center, where she trained relentlessly under the guidance of her father, Mahboob Basha. “This victory is not just mine, but for my family, my mentors, and every struggling carrom player in India,” Khazima said.
Her father, an autorickshaw driver, sacrificed much to support her passion. “During lockdown, I had to sell tea to sustain our family,” Basha recalled. “My son, Abdul Rahman, had to quit carrom to work. It was his dream to win the World Cup, and Khazima made it come true.”
The Tamil Nadu government has pledged to renovate her coaching center and awarded her ₹1 crore. “I am grateful to the state for their support. I hope more young players get opportunities,” she said.
Khazima aspires to make carrom a widely recognized sport. “One day, I want to see carrom matches broadcasted live, just like cricket,” she stated, vowing to continue her journey as a champion and ambassador for the game.
