Alkass Digital
Doha will host three international, continental and Gulf championships in snooker and billiards next week (the Asian Snooker Championship, the Six-red World Championship and the GCC Billiards and Snooker Championship), which are organized by the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation from Sept. 11 to 28, making Qatar the first country in the world to organize these three major championships in succession, separated by only a few days.
The competitions will start with the Asian Snooker Championship from Sept. 12 to 16, then the Six-red World Championship from Sept. 17 to 21, followed by the GCC Billiards and Snooker Championship from Sept. 22 to 28, amid strict precautionary measures in line with the recommendations of the Ministry of Public Health to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
The general assemblies of the two Asian federations will be held on the sidelines of the competitions.
Eight Qatari players will take part in the Asian Championship competitions - Muhanna Al Obaidly, Ahmed Seif, Mohammad Al Binali, Khamis Al Obaidly, Mohammad Al Sharshani, Bashar Hussein, Ali Al Obaidly, and Mansour Al Obaidly.
President of the International Snooker Federation and Executive Director of the Qatar Federation, Mubarak Al Khayarin, described Qatar's hosting of the World and Asian Championships as a great challenge, especially after stopping nearly two years of activity due to the repercussions of the continuing outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the Supreme Organizing Committee is making great efforts in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health in order to secure the successful hosting of these international sporting events in the State of Qatar.
Al Khayarin noted 57 players representing 28 countries have confirmed their participation in the Asian Men's Championship so far, noting at the same time that the door for participation is still open before the final list of participants is approved in the draw conference scheduled for September 11.
Al Khayarin thanked the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation which made great efforts to host these continental and international sporting events, noting continuous cooperation with the Qatar Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Interior to bring these events out in the best way possible.
For his part, Board Member of the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation and Director of the Asian Championship, Mohsen Bukshaisha, affirmed Qatar's readiness to host these important events, pointing to Qatar's human capabilities and great organizational experience to host such sporting events and produce them in the best way.
Bukshaisha added that preparations are going in full swing and in the best way in all organizational and administrative aspects.
He noted that Qatar has become the heart of billiards and snooker at the Asian and the global levels with the two headquarters based in Doha, which is a major international sporting achievement for Qatar.