Knock-out stage of under 21 Snooker Nationals begin today

Bernard Perera

The knock-out stage of the under 21 National Snooker Championship is scheduled to commence today at the Sri Lanka Billiards and Snooker Headquarters tables.

Eight young cueists have qualified to play in this k/o stage. They are Ryan Somaratne (OAC), M. R. Nazeer (YMCA), A. Higgoda (OAC) and M. Rizan (RSS) from Group A and Lakshan Samarasinghe (OAC), N. Badurdeen (OAC), M. A. M. Riyaz (MSC) and M. T. M. Nazoordeen (MSC) from Group B. Ryan Somaratne who has recorded three wins in Group A and the defending champ is the favourite to annex the title this year too.

Meanwhile Lakshan Samarasinghe and N. Badurdeen who too have gained three wins each, will go flat out to give the champion stiff competition. The duo from Group B have maintained a fine record this season.