Advani to lead field

Veteran nine-time world billiards champion Geet Sethi, Devendra Joshi, Ashok Shandilya, Dhruv Sitwala and Rupesh Shah are part of the Indian contingent for the nine-day long event.

“Players from India, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Singapore will participate in the billiards category,” Madhya Pradesh Billiards and Snooker Association president Bholu Mehta said.

Mehta added that the under-21 snooker championship will also be held simultaneously, in which Shahbaz Khan, Mundir Sherazi, Vipin Premi, Manjot Singh and Varun Madan will spearhead the Indian challenge.

Karnataka’s Advani said that the 100-up format makes it hard to predict anyone’s chances in the tournament.

“The format is very unpredictable. It’s an 100-up format which means you have to first score over 100 points to win the frame,” Advani said.

Advani will take on compatriot Shah in his opening Group ‘A’ encounter.
The event was originally scheduled to be held in Karachi, but keeping in mind the volatile security situation in Pakistan, the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) decided to shift the event to India.