Chand to defend club snooker title

NITESH Chand will defend the South Seas Club Trustee’s Cup Championship title later this month.

Chand has a wealth of knowledge in the sport, representing the country in the Oceania Snooker Championship in Australia and New Zealand.

He was also the number one ranked player in the Western Division and reached Fiji number three status at his peak form.

Brothers Sahil and Rahid Prasad, champions of the sport like their father Yogen, will pose the biggest threat to Chand.

Tournament co-ordinator Raymond Reddy said they had received more than 25 entries for the tournament which would be played from January 20-22.

Reddy said the players would be drawn into pools.

“It will be the best of three frame matches during the pool stage,” he said.

“The quarter-final will be the best of five. It will increase to seven frames for the semi-finals while the final will be a total of nine frames.

“To have the nine frames final is just like getting our players prepared for international tournaments.

“Full dress code will apply because the participants will be playing in a fully air conditioned environment. The dress code will require long pants with a long sleeve shirt and bow tie.

“We are grateful to South Seas Club Restaurant for providing lunch on the second day and also there will be a live band to entertain the participants.”

The winner of the event will receive $400 while the runner-up will get $200. The losing semi-finalist will get $100 each while the losing quarter-finalist will go home with $50 each.

There is a special prize of $75 for the highest break over 50 points.

The following players have confirmed their participation: Raymond Reddy, Navneil Maharaj, Nitesh Chand, Ajesh Chand, Alzumar Khan, Ravinesh Maharaj, Vikrant Sharma, Isireli Kaci, Tarun Padayaci, Richard Kashyap, Joeli Qio, Vinesh Prasad, Abdul Javed, Roneil Sami, Sashi Pillay, Rajnesh Nand, Lema Matailevu, Inoke Qereqeretabua, Albert Maharaj, Esala Talebula, Rahil Prasad, Amani Nuku, Sahil Prasad.