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 � 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.