Sri Lanka to host two Asian Cue Championships
The Sri Lanka Billiards and Snooker Association (SLBSA) have been bestowed with the honour of hosting the 15th Asian Billiards and 17th Asian U21 Snooker Championships by the Asian Confederation of Billiard Sports. The two tournaments which will be conducted concurrently are scheduled to be held from March 1 to 8 at Hotel Ramada in Colombo. Accommodation for the players, officials and foreign dignitaries will also be at the same hotel.
Zuraish Hashim, President of SLBSA briefing the media flanked by Zulky Passela, Vice President SLBSA and Niranjan Abeysena, Treasurer SLBSA. - Pic by Samantha Perera
Zuraish Hashim, President of the SLBSA revealed this at a press briefing held at the Automobile Association auditorium. The president speaking further said that it’s a great honour for the SLBSA and we are leaving no stone unturned to make these prestigious tournaments end with a success.
He added that over 20 countries comprising of 50 cueists are expected to participate in the two tournaments which will also see more than 12 foreign officials coming to the island to officiate. Sri Lanka will field six players in the Under 21 tournament who are presently undergoing strenuous training in preparation for the tournament. Four players will be selected from the national billiards championship which is in progress now at the Sugathadasa Hotel where the final is scheduled to be worked off on February 2.
India is expected to field a strong side spearheaded by the world billiards and snooker champion Pankaj Advani who won the World Snooker Championship last year defeating Zhao Xintong of China. Peter Gilchrist of Singapore is also expected to be one of the strong contenders for the billiard title while in the Under 21 category the hot favourite will be Boonyarit Keattikun of Thailand.
However last year Dhruv Sitwala recorded a shocking win over Advani by six frames to three in the 11 frame final to clinch the Asian title which was held in China while Akani Songsermsawd of Thailand took the Under 21 title overcoming Yuan Sijun of China.
The last international billiards tournament (World Championship) was held in Sri Lanka 37 years ago in 1979 and the last international snooker tournament (Asian Championship) was held in 2006. The organizers are looking forward to present cash awards for the champion, runner up, semi-finalists, quarter-finalists and also for the snooker player who gets the highest break of over 100 points.
K.H. Sirisoma the reigning national billiard champion has been selected as the overall captain of the Sri Lanka contingent. Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekera will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony.