Mukesh Rehani’s legacy lives on with the Megapool Snooker
Championship
The Indian cue
sports community is a close-knit group. Each individual is not just
a mere member but an integral part of the family. While the new
members are warmly received, those who leave for heavenly abode
continue to inspire others. The sad demise of Mukesh Rehani
(September 08, 1961 - June 10, 2011) came as a shock to one and all.
First as a player and later as the national pool coach, Rehani
connected with everyone involved with the game. A trendsetter,
Rehani was the first Indian to reach the knockout stage (Last 64) of
the World 9-ball Pool Championship in Cardiff in 2004. The No.2
billiards player in the country also played pro billiards for five
years.
To honour Rehani’s commitment to cue
sports, Delhi Players stand together and hosting the Inaugural All
India Open Snooker Championship at Megapool Snooker Academy from 31
August to 8 September 2012. The tournament to be held in memory of
Rehani, will offer total prize money of around Rs.1.5 Lakh.
"My brother
qualified for World Pool Championship through Asian circuit as back
then India did not have a direct quota. At the Championships, he
lost to Steve Davis in the round of 64 but impressed everyone with
his performance. Taking note of it, India were later awarded a
direct quota. Even Davis appreciated bhaiya’s efforts and gifted the
ball-set used in that match," recalled younger brother Ajay
Rehani.
Never to feel content with his ward's
effort, Ajay remembered how his brother requested to delay an offer
to felicitate him by the Mizoram government.
"My brother coached Lalrina Renthlei and other state players. The
Mizoram government were very happy with the commitment. They wanted
to felicitate my brother but bhaiya wanted to receive the award only
when someone from the state wins the national title. Last year in
July, Renthlei won the junior national snooker title but
unfortunately bhaiya passed away a month before that" he
added.
Ajay added that efforts are being made
to ensure the tournament is held every year.
"The players got together and decided to host a tournament in the
memory of my late brother. The tournament will give youngsters a
chance to showcase their talent and improve their skills. We will
have a running trophy and see to it that maximum players
participate." Some of the leading players taking part in the
tournament include Shahbaaz Khan, Rafath Habib, Manan Chandra and
Laxman Rawat among others. Post the qualifying rounds, the 32
cueists will be divided in eight groups of four players each for the
league stages which will be followed by a knockout of round
involving 16 players.
New Delhi
:: 30
August 2012
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