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Yasin speaks on Six Red Introduction

 

SIX RED SNOOKER :: THE T20 OF CUE SPORTS

All preparations have been finalized to stage the SangSom 6-red Snooker International, a tournament that is bound to go down as a milestone in the cue sports history books and has all the ingredients to become the most exciting event of the year.

 

Addressing a crowded press conference on Thursday, Sports Authority of Thailand Deputy Governor Chalermchai Bunyarak praised the efforts of the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand (BSAT) in making the event possible and adding a brand new dimension to the discipline of snooker. The tournament takes place at the five-star Montien Riverside Hotel in Bangkok on July 8-13.

 

Sindhu Pulsirivong, president of BSAT, told the press conference that the announcement of the event had created great excitement at all levels of international snooker and two former world professional champions, Peter Ebdon and Ken Doherty, had already confirmed their participation. Current world No. 4 Mark Selby, winner of two Main Tour ranking events in the 2007-2008 season, will also be starring in the event, he added.

 

Snooker ace Yasin Merchant is excited over the new format of the game he is currently practicing at the Khar Gymkhana :: the 6-red snooker. He is preparing for the $1.8m baht Inaugural 6-Red Snooker International Tournament to be held in Bangkok (Thailand) from July 8 to 13.

 

"It could be a hit like the T20 of cricket" said Yasin. In this format unlike the 15 reds in the rack at the start there will be six reds to be potted along with the six colors. It's the idea of Sindhu Pulsirivong, the chairman of Asian Confederation of Billiards & Snooker who tried this event at the Korat South East Asia Games 2007.

 

All-time great Jimmy White will be there, also two former world professional champions, Peter Ebdon and Ken Doherty and current world number four Mark Selby, the winner of two Main Tour ranking events in the 2007-2008 season. A total of 18 Main Tour events will be taking part.

 

Yasin, Aditya Mehta and Manan Chandra are the three Indians playing the event. Later there will be one in Pakistan for which Pankaj Advani will also play.

 

Asked if this game would be leveler like the 50-up format in billiards, Yasin said: "Players who make 30-40 breaks will like this game. You need to be sharp. You give one chance away and you lose the frame. Safety play will also gain importance. The highest break is this format is 75 points as against snooker's dream break of 147."

 

 

Mumbai - Sunday 29 June 2008

 

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Last modified: Monday July 27, 2009 21:57:18 +0530