DOHA: Qatar will have a ‘strong presence’ at the 2013 Asian Snooker Six-Red Championship, a top official said yesterday.
Players from more than 24 countries will take part in the event will be held at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation (QBSF) headquarters from May 24 to 30.
“We have done well at the Asian level in the past and we have dominated events in Middle East. We are confident of doing well at the Asian Snooker Championship also,” said QBSF President Mohamed Mubarak Alramzani.
“Our players are not overawed by the best in Asia. In fact, I know that our players are eager to do well at the Asian Championship,” Alramzani said.
“”I expect us to do well. Our players will be heading to India and Pakistan for events in the coming weeks,” he said.
Indian city Indore will stage the 14th Asian under-21 Snooker Championship from April 1 to 7.
“Our players showed good form during (last month’s) 9-ball Open Tournament. They are getting good coaching (from Kazuo Fujima) and I am sure they will be ready for this event,” he said.
In December last year, Qatar’s Bashar Hussain won the gold medal at the GCC Pool-Billiards Championship for the second year running.
In September last year, the Qatar snooker squad picked up three bronze medals at the Arab Snooker Championship which was held in Dubai.
Mohamed Salem Al Nuaimi, Secretary General, QBSF, echoed Alramzani’s sentiments.
“Events in India and Pakistan will provide a good opportunity for our players get into the right kind of rhythm and form,” Al Nuami said during the press conference.
“We are not sure how many players we would field at the Asian Championship, but we will have a strong presence,” Al Nuami added.
Yesterday, QBSF signed a sponsorship deal with Qatar Fuel Additives Company Limited (Qafac) at Holiday Villa.
Qafac General Manager Nasser Jeham Al Kuwari said: “The sponsorship this event is part of our policy to back events at all levels in the country. We think it is imperative to support local sportsmen and women, which is important for our company that is making a real contribution to Qatari society.”
Al Kuwari added: “We believe that this is a popular event on the Qatar sports calendar. We have been backing sports events in the past and we will continue to do so in the future also. We wish the Qatari players well.”
The Qafac official said: “This is a high profile event that will attract the best players in Asia. Our association with QBSF helps us take our brand to a different the audience that follows this sport in Asia and the rest of the world.”
Last month, QBSF conducted the 9-ball Open Tournament as part of the Qatar National Sport Day in the country.
This tournament, which was held from February 8 to 12, attracted 64 participants from 9 countries. The games were played on eight pool tables and after exciting battles, a similar number of players advanced to final round.
Kuwait’s Bader Alawadi picked up the top prize of QR25,000 while UAE’s Omran Salem took home QR10,000 for securing the runners-up spot. THE PENINSULA
