Cue game in Lanka in a sorry state
by Bernard Perera
Billiards was the first sport that put Sri Lanka onto
the sporting world when M. J. M. Lafir won the World Billiard
Championship in Bombay in 1973 for which he was given a red carpet
welcome.
Since then Sri Lanka was always a regular competitor at
the World Championships in various parts of the world, Lanka's Billiard
and Snooker Association also had the privilege of losing the World
Championships twice and was able to be in the top eight.
At these championships Lafir, Henry Boteju, W. A. J.
Weerasinghe and K. H. Sirisoma have competed though failing to win the
title. But have proved that they are capable of facing any challenge
from any part of the world. The present National Champion, K. H.
Sirisoma who has participated in six world championships was the
attraction on arrival at the Bombay International Airport to compete at
the 4th Asian Championships.
All officials from participating countries greeted him
and wished him luck expecting him to do well.
But sad to say he could not win a single match in the
preliminary round which came as a surprise to all billiard fans.
On inquiry what he said was a pathetic story. The
association's tables that are used to conduct tournaments were old ones,
the table cloth have not been replaced for years. We never get the
opportunity of even practising on these tables.
Prior to our tour we had only two days of practices
here. Once we leave the country for international tournament we have to
play on well maintained tables to which we are not acclimatised.
This is a big setback for Lankans at this level. The
federation has not helped us in anyway for this tour. The players had to
find all their requirements on their own. The foreign delegates and
other officials were amazed to hear that no Lankan was nominated for
this year's World Championship.
They said since 1973 Sri Lanka was a top contender. It
is surprising to note the non-participation of Sri Lanka at this years
championship. The Federation's explanation has been that the players are
not upto standard. If so why did they nominate cueists for the Asian
Championship? Players are in good shape what they need is the support
from the governing body to maintain their standards. If this is done
accordingly the game can reach the top level once again.
The Federation's officials have been changing year by
year. Only once a programme was launched to develop the sport by
introducing the game at school level. This too has come to a standstill.
A programme of this nature is a must to improve the
game. Sri Lankan players at this year's championships were the oldest at
73 and 50 years. This alone proves that none of the officials have taken
measures to promote the game among youngsters. All other participants
being less than forty years and the champion from India being only 20
years amply proves the steps taken by them to develop the game.
This year India had seven competitors and four of them
went through to the quarters.
Foreign delegates also questioned the same noting the
non-participation of young cueists. They were inquisitive to find out
where it has gone wrong for the Sri Lankan Federation. They say with Sri
Lanka holding two world tournaments earlier will there be a chance to
hold the same with this state of affairs.
With these shortcomings highly visible among all
involved in the game, the Federation should take steps to sort out
matters for the benefit of the game and the players. |
