Preparations of the Championship
19
August 2010: The
last day before the commencement of 2010 IBSF World Billiards Championship.
The preparations have gained momentum, everyone is busy in their own
department to make it a grand success. The venue of the championship i.e.
PYC Hindu Gymkhana, Pune is being ready with eight tables on the floor.
Table fitters are working untiringly to provide best playing conditions to
players. Computers are in place for scoring of the matches.
Local
boys and girls doing preparations for making the entire club colorful to
welcome all players, referees and officials. Pune is well known for its
culture and hospitality and the same is seen in the preparations of these
youngsters.
Meanwhile players have started arriving. Few of them reached late in the
night and are sleeping to relax and couple of them watching the preparations
and looking thrilled to be in India and focused to take the challenge for
the next 9 days.
Apart
from the host country, the challenge is from England, Singapore, New
Zealand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Korea. Pressure is definitely on
reigning world champion (both formats) Pankaj Advani, but he looks to be
enjoying the pressure and ready to take the challenge ahead. He has not lost
in time format for five years. Other strong contenders of the titles are
Geet Sethi (India)
�
eight times world billiards champion, Mike Russell (England)
�
nine time Professional champion and participating in IBSF after a long gap,
and Peter Gilchrist
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former world champion and at present in the form of his life.
In
others, Myanmar�s
Kyaw Oo can also be a threat in Point format. In Asia, he once reached into
the finals and looking forward to something similar at the World level.
Korea
is taking part for the first time in the IBSF World Billiards championship.
Now I
am signing off as the Inauguration ceremony going to start shortly. Will be
back in evening with more on the Inauguration.