ONGC-IBSF World Billiards Championship 2008 :: Bangalore - India

01 - 10 September 2008

Grand Gala Opening of

Live from Bangalore - Day One - 01-09-2008

If it is a grand spectacle, aesthetically and professionally done in the world of cue sports, it's got to be "that mecca of the green baize ", the team of dedicated souls of the Karnataka State Billiards Association who take the centre stage.

And it was so on Monday, the first day of September, 2008 at the McDowell billiards Air conditioned hall in Bangalore even as the ONGC sponsored IBSF World Billiards Championship got off to a grand start.

The august gathering which included several world champions including the favourites, local wonder boy of billiards, Pankaj Advani, Billiards maestro, Geet Sethi and the defending champion, Rupesh Shah, all from India, not to forget the steady Peter Gilchrist of Singapore and the gritty and dodgy cueist of Thailand, Praput Chaithanasakun.

The Karnataka's Minister of Sports, Minister of Health, the Dynamic President of the Billiards And Snooker Federation of India, Capt. PVK Mohan, The Sponsors lead n\man, The President of the hosting Association, The Chairman of the Karnataka State Olympic Association also the top officials of the World and India as the Referees alongwith the charismatic Master of Ceremonies, Charu Sharma.

Not only was the elitist audience a witness to a ambience unmatched in the country, it was an ample testimony that not only was the KSBA moving forward to create an aura of the magic of billiards but the fact that it was only building up on the fantastic infrastructure so meticulously provided by the doyen's of the cue sports in Bangalore in yesteryears.

That the nation has produced 24 World titles in the realm of cue sports makes up for a strong case for the inclusion of the sport in the coming Olympics in 2012 or surely in the year 2016 with the two young world champions, Pankaj Advani and Chitra Magimairaj providing a perfect setting although one sorely missed the genius of Mike Russell who was conspicuous by his absence.

The highlight of the inauguration in the morning was the inspiring speech of that great charmer, "Charu Sharma". In fact the brilliant way in which he handled the whole affair made it memorable one indeed. And what was more impressive was the way in which he laid stress on the fact that cue sports was not only a sport which had produced world beaters but more importantly had created a plethora of ladies and gentlemen, such vital ingredients in any sport besides skill, determination and entertainment which is the very essence of true sports.

Moving over to the actual action on the 9 newly laid out tables at the venue where the world event commenced with the 150 points format which will conclude on Friday, it was the 23 year darling of the city of Bangalore who stole the thunder in a power packed elegant performance which must have gladdened the heart of the local fans. Pankaj chalking up three consecutive centuries in each of the three games whitewash against Calum Hossack of Scotland who was reduced to virtual spectator.

The nation’s cueing pride and joy, Geet Sethi was also somewhat on a song chalking up a 153 break in the third game after leading 2-0 for a clean sweep of 3-0 against the Veteran from Singapore, Teik Chong Alan Puan. Rupesh Shah was also not far behind thrashing Sabdeen Mohammad of Sri Lanka by 3-0 inclusive of a good break of 134 in the final game.

Continuing the total dominance of the Indians, Dhruv Sitwala also joined the party with a polished looking break of 142 in the second game of his 3-0 victory over Wayne Carey of New Zealand. The talented player from Kolkata, the Railway boy, Mohammad Asim was not to be denied his share of the glory on the opening dy of the 5 day affair when he  demolished the Singapore cueist, Boon Aun Keith E by 3-1 games, Boon picking up the third game on the run of play. However the shocker of the day was the splendid victory of the unassuming cueist from Chennai, Prem Prakash that virtually lit up the atmosphere as he carved out a 3-2 win in a thrilling tie which enthused the knowledgeable crowd here. It was a superb 111 break in the second game after trailing 0-1 that actually helped Prem edge out Thawat Sujaritthurkarn of Thailand. Sourav Kothari of India rounded off the day's proceedings when he beat the Veitnamese player, Thanh Binh Nguyen by 3games to1 with a commendable 114 break in the second game. Fancied Praput of Thailand completed the rout of Darren Taylor of New Zealand in three straight games. Another favourite Peter Gilchrist of Singapore quelled the challenge of Shyam Jagtiani of India by 3-0 games with a break of 110 in the third and last game.

If today’s games are any indication, it is going to be  cracker of n action in the coming four days evident by the form of the cueists who are likely contenders of the points format title in this World championship, the likes which the lucky ones may not get to see in the near future as the drama unfolds in the tastefully decorated arena.

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