Cue wizard Ali pockets Grand Hotel snooker trophy

Twenty four year old MICH cue wizard Rauzan Ali won the 5th Grand Hotel Snooker Championship defeating another youngster M.Z.A. Zulfy of Romanz Pool Parlour. It was two days of interesting snooker. Most of the cue sport loving holidaymakers enjoyed the event. This is one of the most looked forward sporting events of the season in Nuwara ELIYA.

It was two days of heart throbbing action with 160 cueists ENTERING THE FRAY., Rauzan Ali fresh from his superb display at the MICH’s M.J.M. Laffir championship last month, virtually assured himself of the Grand Hotel title during this festive season from the first game he played. He is an old boy of St. Joseph’s College and attached HSBC.

Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa handing over the champion's Tophy to Ruzan Ali. Others in the picture are - Resident Manager grand Hotel, Tyrone David, Genral Manager Grand Hotel, Palaka Perera, Mayor Mahinda Dodampegamage, HNB Manager Nuwara Eliya, Niluka Amarasinghe, Sports Secretary Grand Hotel Lakshman Silva, Vcie President Billiards and Snooker Association S.Anablagan.

Annually this tournament is held to coincide with the April Festivities of Nuwara Eliya. This time it was the fifth consecutive year that this cue tournament was conducted. In the four earlier tournaments, the entries were nearly one hundred. But his time round it was one hundred and sixty. Due to heavy participation, some matches were played at St. Andrew’s Hotel and Lake Club.

This tournament was a one frame affair, and in the final it was a close affair where some superb potting of color balls was seen. It was the winner Ali who swept into early lead. He won the final by 51 points to 45, before cooling nerves in the tension filled atmosphere.

He with his excellent potting crowned himself with glory. Runner-up Zulfy had all the chances of taking the plum but failed by missing an easy pink pot.

Though Zulfy failed to win the championship, he gave a superb display with the cue which made the fans to cheer him. He missed the last black that cost him the game. Ali won the frame by potting the black.

On the way to the finals, Rauzan Ali (MICH) beat Mohamed Refaui (Moors SC) 57/50. Ali with full confidence had a superb all-round game showing cue ball control and positioning well.

In the other semifinal M.Z.A Zulfy (Roman Snooker Palour) beat M.Y.M. Ariff (MICH) 54/35.

The winner was struggling to put his cue to ball at the start, later cleared the ball to pull the game in his favor. Then in the qarterfinals, Rauzan Ali (MICH) beat Sashika Perera (The Cue) 55/18, Mohamed Refai (Moors SC) beat M.S.M. Rasheed (Port of Pool), M.Y.M. Ariff (MICH) beat Shiran Jhan (EPP) 57/15, Rauzan Ali (MICH) beat M.S.M. Shajan (MICH) 53/20.

It was a grand awards ceremony. The winner was presented the George Ondaatje Trophy and a cash award of Rs. 50,000.00 by the sporting Governor of Central Province Tikiri Kobbekkduwa.

Governor Tikiri Kobbekkduwa speaking to me said that he loves this sport and said one should never forget this sport because it was in this sport that Sri Lanka saw the first World Champion in M.J.M.Lafir.which put our country in the sporting world map.

Palaka Perera, General Manager, Grand Hotel presented replica to Rauzan Ali. The runner-up M.Z.A. Zulfy received his award from Mayor of Nuwara Eliya Mahinda Dodampegamage and cash award of Rs. 30,000.00 and the certificate was given by Niluk T.Amarasinghe Manager (Nuwara Eliya) HNB the sponsors, the 2nd runner-up Trophy and the Cash award of Rs.20,000 and the Certificate was presented to M Y M Ariff of MICH by Tyrone David, Resident Manager of Grand Hotel, The 3rd runner-up M I Mohamed Refai of Moors Sports Club received Rs. 10,000.00 and the certificate from Upul Leukebandara General Manager St.Andrews Hotel and S. Anbalagan the Tournament Secretary. The ten referees who helped to runt him tournament too were presented with awards.