Over 200 players for four top events at New Dolmen

Local snooker and billiards enthusiasts are set for a great treat in the first three weeks of March after the Malta Billiards and Snooker Association (MBSA) was entrusted with the organisation of four international tournaments, all to be played at the New Dolmen Hotel, Qawra.

Dr David Farrugia Sacco, the MBSA president, said in a news conference yesterday that over 200 players and officials from 22 countries will be travelling to Malta to take part in the Mediterranean Cup, the European Teams Championships and two World Amateur Billiards Championships between March 5 and 20.

"The MBSA is delighted to be hosting such prestigious tournaments," Dr Farrugia Sacco said.

"We have been working day and night lately to make sure that everything is ready for the start of these competitions. A sound organisation will help in no small measure to strengthen the excellent reputation Malta enjoys in the international scene as an ideal sporting venue.

"Besides, we are also looking forward to some good results on the tables. Maltese players have always excelled on the international scene at this level. Last year, we won the European Team Championship and we have every intention to retain the crown once again this year."

Dr Farrugia Sacco also thanked the Kunsill Malti Ghall-Isport (KMS) and Farsons plc for their support. Cisk Lager will also be extending their sponsorship to the Snooker Premier Division, played at various social clubs and village bars around the island.

"Without their financial assistance we wouldn't be in a position to hold these tournaments," the MBSA president commented.

MBSA official Richard Balani then gave all the technical details of the tournaments before the official draw was made.

The programme of matches starts with the Mediterranean Cup on March 5 and 6.

Sixty-four players will be involved in this snooker competition which sees the participation of 21 local players.

Yesterday, they were split into 16 groups of four players each. The group winners will go through to the knockout stage with the eventual champion pocketing €2,000.

The European Teams Championships are pencilled between March 7 and 12.

There are three categories in this competition with 24 teams in the men's event, eight in the women's class and 12 in the seniors' division.

Here, Malta will be represented with three snooker teams in the men's event and two in seniors.

Balani said the two world billiards championships will be played under different rules - 150 Up and the traditional Time Format.

There are 32 players who have registered for these tournaments with six of them representing the MBSA, including former world amateur champion Paul Mifsud.

The 150 Up tournament starts on March 13 with group matches played on best-of-five frames. The best-of-11 final will be played on March 16.

The Time Format competition starts the following day with the group stages played on two one-and-half-hour sessions per match. Three two-hour sessions will be played to decide the winner of the final on March 20.

Entrance for all tournaments will be free of charge.

Malta's players

Mediterranean Cup (individuals): A. Borg, J. Grech, P. Grech, T. Busuttil, A. Cachia, D. Bezzina, M. Bugeja, D. Pisani, T. Mifsud, S. Camilleri, P. Tonna, S. Zammit, C. Castaldi, D. Cortis, C. Grima, R. Webb, J. Calleja, R. Lewis, C. Buttigieg, G. Vella, I. Rizzo.

Teams Championships: Malta 1 - A. Borg, S. Zammit, J. Grech. Malta 2 - A. Cachia, D. Bezzina, S. Camilleri. Malta 3 - C. Castaldi, M. Bugeja, D. Cortis.

(Seniors) Malta 1 - F. Mintoff, S. Brig-none. Malta 2 - T. Mifsud, P. Grech.

World Billiards Championships (150 Up and Time Format) - J. Grech, P. Mifsud, A. Borg, D. Bezzina, P. Grech, F. Mintoff.