Boost for snooker in Nuwara Eliya

P.Rajaratnam Nuwara Eliya Corr.

The Deshabandu George Ondaatjie annual Snooker Tournament will be held on the April 17 and 18, 2009 in Nuwara Eliya and will be worked out in the Grand Hotel Billiards Room which boasts of three Championship Tables which are over 100 years old.

A press briefing was held under the Chairmanship of the General Manager of Grand Hotel Palaka Perera assisted by the Resident Manager, Raju N. Veerasingham and the Assistant Manager, Nazeem Mohamed. Faiesz Samad the Vice President of the Billiard and Snooker Association of Sri Lanka and the District representative of the Billiard & Snooker Association of Sri Lanka Renuke Coswatte, Past Billiard & Snooker Association District Representative S. Anbalagan, F & B Manager, Grand Hotel Lakshman Silva were also present.

Initially Raju Veerasingham detailed the Pot Black Tournament which has been held during the April Season from 1989 onwards.

He further said that this Tournament has been a very popular event during the April Season and the many visitors who came to Nuwara Eliya during the April Season participated in this Tournament and had carried very happy memories of this Tournament.

He said that this year the Tournament would be held at a much higher level and that the prize money would also be much higher and would be known as the Deshabandu George Ondaatjie Annual Snooker Tournament.

Palaka Perera detailing this year’s Tournament said that the Entry Forms and the Regulations governing the Tournament had been sent to most Clubs and Sports Associations and he was expecting entries from all parts of the Island.

Detailing the Tournament he said this year the winner would be given the Deshabandu George Ondaatjie Chairman Trophy and Cash Prize of Rs. 30,000.

Likewise the First Runners Up and Second Runners Up would also be given Challenge Trophies plus Cash Prizes of Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 10,000 respectively.

The closing date of the Tournament would be the 05th of April 2009 and Draw would be held on 10th April 2009.

The Billiard and Snooker Association had given their blessings to this Tournament and they would also be sending their Referees to referee the Tournament.

Replying to a question raised by Shelton Hettiarachchi, the Dinamina Correspondent, Vice President Faiesz Samad said that the Billiard and Snooker Association is embarking on a program to encourage more youngsters to play this sport as presently only Senior Citizens were playing this game and most of these persons were over the hill and youngsters have to be groomed to fill this void and reach International standards.

Raju Veerasingham detailed the Tournament Rules which read as follows:

The Dress Code for the “Knock-out Tournament” should be strictly adhered to and would be observed by the Tournament Referees;

1. Long Sleeved Shirt with Bow Tie,

2. Long Trouser

3. Covered Shoes with Socks

The Game would be limited to One Frame or 1/2 hour duration.