Cut the glam-quotient in those figures _ to nil, replace the sophistiqué film screenings with courant competition around a banal, dimly-lit table in a fringe sport, and Cannes appears to be quite a daunting venue to reach for another Indian woman.

City carrom player Ayesha Sajid will once again be worrying about the notes (or cheque), rather than focussing on the coins as she prepares to go for the 5th World Championship, to be held in Cannes, France from 19-24 February. India's No. 3 in the women's section, Ayesha had earlier gone through an anxious month before a previous invitational tournament in Malaysia, where she was forced to knock on doors _ state and private, so that she could arrange for the amount required to arrange the trip _ entry fee, travelling costs, et al.

The talented player _ selected to represent India _ for the Cannes event _ is now required to submit Rs 15,000 to the national carrom federation by January 5, to ensure entry to the event. A further Rs 50,000 will have to be put together, so that she can fly to France and participate in the event. The national federation, needless to say, points to empty coffers, putting the onus of gathering the hefty total of Rs 65,000 on the player.

Ayesha had made the previous trip after a benevolent donation from Kolkata's Mr Birla who sponsored her entire trip, after hearing of her financial woes.

Ayesha who returned with a bronze from Malaysia later last year, has been busy with national competitions - first the state-meet and then in Kolkata, and returned to the city with little time to approach any official in Mantralay. A SSC pass, and with no graduation certificates to show, this 24-year-old, hailing from a humble neighbourhood in Kurla has struggled to procure a job with the regular recruiters. "I couldn't complete my education which I regret, but now I'm struggling to make a living out of the only thing I'm confident of in life," she says of her skilled fingers which can smoothly guide the coins into the pocket _ perhaps better than many male players.