Dubai to stage 'richest' regional 9-ball pool event

Dubai is set to stage what has been dubbed the "biggest and richest" 9-ball Pool competition in the region organised by the UAE Billiards and Snooker Association (UAEBSA) in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council (DSC).

The inaugural Kolluna Al Emarat-Kolluna Khalifa 9-ball Open Championship will be held from July 2 to 4 at the Gloria Hotel Dubai.

The championship, being held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of DSC, has total prize money of Dh 500,000 ($115,000).

The tournament is being conducted by Pro9, who are the UAEBSA's management partners, while InterPool are the championship’s official partners.

The qualifying tournaments will get underway from Tuesday in selected pool clubs and lounges across all emirates in the build-up to the grand finale with over 350 cueists competing for a place in the final 128. The qualifiers will be held around the GCC countries, Lebanon and Jordan.

“The fairly richest competition with a highest prize money in the region for the first time will attract top players to Dubai who will be accorded a warm welcome to the city,” said Tamjeed Abdullah, Vice-president of Damas, one of the sponsors of the event.

Mohammed Al Rahoomi, head of Media at DSC, said this event will add to the image of Dubai which has, in the past, organised top world events like the Soccer Beach World Cup, the FINA Swimming Championship, the richest World Cup horse race, the ‘Race to Dubai’, the Dubai Desert Classic, etc.

“The championship will not only strengthen the image of Dubai’s sports but also raise the standards of Dubai organising powers in top events,” Al Rahoomi said at a press conference to announce the event on Sunday.

Germany’s world champion Ralf Souquet has confirmed his participation while the top players from Asia are also likely to take part.

Oswald Betram, owner of Interpool said top quality Clash tables used at the German and Belgium National Championships would be used for the Dubai event.

"It has been our dream to have a major tournament in Dubai because UAE have the talent. We are proud to be associated with this," he added.

"9-ball is a sport played quite exte3nsively across the UAE and events of this scale will allow the country to nurture its local talent," said Hesham Al Hindi of Pro9.

Twelve places would be allocated to UAE players and 15 for Asian players during the final round in which the 128 players would be divided into 16 groups of eight each. After a round robin league of ‘Race to seven’ the top four from each group will advance to the knock-out stage.

The 64 players will then be reduced to a round of 32 with the round of 16 being played with 'Race to Nine’ and the final decided on 'Race to 11'.

The champion will bet $40,000 with the runner-up receiving $15,000 and the third-place earning $10,000 with the fourth placed getting $8,000.

Those finishing from fifth to 8th will receive $4,000 each and from 9th to 16th $2,000 each.

Those who end up between 17th and 32nd places will get $1,200 and those from 33rd to 64th will receive $600 each.

Those who do not make it to the final 128, will be given a second chance so that they can pick the wild cards in the tournament. The event will be telecast live on Dubai Sports Channel.

The UAE team is a strong contender for the medals, having won gold at the Asian level.

The cueists will also get a chance to boost their performance in the World Championship taking place in Doha this month, according to a UAEBSA official.

Those interested in participating in the regional qualifying events here in the UAE should visit the organisers’ website: www.pro9.ae <https://www.pro9.ae> or telephone: +971 50 7847479.
 

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