Iran, Iraq Withdraws Cueist from Asian Snooker
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

KARACHI: Iran and Iraq have withdrawn their cueists from the 23rd NJI Asian Snooker Championship for contrasting reasons organizing secretary Aspi Mavalwala said on Thursday.

"Iran had pulled out their two players from the event because of poor performance in just concluded Asian under-21 event in Doha," he said. Soheil Vehedi and Amir Sarkhosh were due to represent Iran in the championship being held here at local five star hotel here from June 11-17.

Similarly, he said, Iraq has pulled out their their players Ahmed Al Abdalt and Ali Al Dm Ali and a lone new player Reenet William will be representing Iraq.

A day earlier, Jordan also withdrawn from the competition because of their teams commitments in Egypt, after were awarded late entry by Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports.

He said, now only 32 cueists drawn in eight groups of four each will be featuring in the week-long competition. He said fresh grouping is being now prepared.

Aspi said opening ceremony of championship will be held on June 11 at 3.00 P.M. after two session of league matches in the morning session.

He said after two first two session of matches at 10.00 A.M. and 12.30 P.M. championship's opening ceremony starts at 3.00 followed by third and fourth sessions matches at 5.00 P.M. and 7.30 P.M.

He informed that playing of Pakistan's national anthm, march-past of the participating players and delegates and introduction of the players with Chief Guest will be part of the ceremony.

Organizing Secretary said three-day league activity in the championship will be best of seven-frames. He said top two players from each group will qualify for the last-16 rounds.

The pre-quarterfinal and quarterfinals will be best of nine frames which will be contested on June 14 and 15 while best of 11-frame semifinal will be conducted in two sessions at 11.30 A.M. and 3.00 P.M.

Best of 13-frame title fight for the Asian crown will be held on June 11 at 3.00 P.M.

He said participating teams and delegates will start arriving in Sindh capital from Saturday to feature in the championship. Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) is holding the continental championship for fourth time after successfully conducting it in 1991, 1998 and 2001.●