National 8Ball & 9Ball Pool Championship 2008

Kolkata - West Bengal

16-26 May 2008

Top Seed on Course

Except for Devendra Joshi, who bowed-out 1-7 to Faisal Khan of Railways in a late match yesterday, top seeds and favourites remained on course in the ONGC-Spring Club National 9Ball Pool Championship being played at the Spring Club in Kolkata. And this despite losing a match or so, due to the double elimination format in effect in this tournament.

Manan Chandra, Dharminder Lilly, Alok Kumar, Sumit Talwar and Rafath Habib recorded comfortable wins to come within one match of qualifying for the knock-out stage. However, there are local contenders like Saurav Kothari, Mohd. Asim, Shakil Ahmed and Anil Poddar who have warmed up with facile wins while there are some lesser known local young players who are emrging as strong challengers to the establishment.

While Miraj lost to Neeraj Kumar after taking a comfortable lead, Shahbaaz Khan, Vishal Sahey and Akram Khan have progressed to the last round of double elimination. But local favourite Brijesh Damani, the reigning Bengal Snooker champion, became the first player to confirm his berth in the last 32 knockout stage.