Cue sport gets off the mark on Jan. 19

BERNARD PERERA

The Billiard and Snooker Association has made all arrangements to conduct the sixth annual National Eight and Nine Ball Pool Championship 2007. The championship’s main sponsor is Finance and Guarantee Company while the co-sponsor is Apex Pool Parlour, Borella.

The dates for the tourney are from January 19-26 at the Apex Pool Parlour, Borella. Matches are to commence at 11.00 a.m. during the weekends and holdings while on other day the games commence at 1.00 p.m.

Shafeek Rajabdeen speaking at the press briefing held yesterday at the Billiard and Snooker Association of Sri Lanka said pool game has picked up well in the country. Specially in the districts of Colombo, Kandy and Gamapaha.

Previously the championship attracted only around 25-30 cueists. But now it has increased tremendously with ladies too taking on to the game.

This year already over 200 competitors for both versions will battle it out in the all island level conducted on a knock out basis before entering the national level which will be played on round robin basis. It is glad to note that a lady, Thilini de Silva too has entered the battle representing Queen’s Pool Parlour.

The winner will go away with a cash prize worth Rs. 50,000 and Trophy while the runner-up is entitled to a purse worth Rs. 10,000. He further said that the Ministry of Sports has given its fullest co-operation to the Association to conduct these tournaments and also to refurbish the Headquarters which needed many renovations.

Continuing he said that the Under-21 National Snooker Championship is to commence in February. For which entries are accepted till January 18. This championship too will be conducted on the same format before the National level begins.

The knock out and the Round Robin stages are to be conducted for seven frames while the finals of both versions will be played for nine frames. This tournament will be played on the tables at the Association’s Headquarters, Reid Avenue.

Answering a question, Rajabdeen said in the future the Association hopes to promote the sport in the districts and to conduct the initial stages at that level once it picks up in those areas.

This has to be done if we are to reach the international level competitions. We in Sri Lanka is capable of producing a world champion from this sport provided we take great care in finding the talent available here.

Once this is done the Association will guide them on the correct path for the purpose.

He thanked the media for the support extended to promote the sport in the past and requested the mediamen to continue with the same for the sake of the sport.