Sabah Closed 9-Ball Pool Tournament Nov 7-12

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Snooker and Billiard Association (SBBA) will organise the Sabah Closed 9-Ball Pool Tournament at the Sheffield Snooker & Billiards Training Centre in KK Taipan, Inanam from November 7-12.

President of SSBA, Frankie Kok, said the SSBA and Sheffield sponsored tournament is open to Malaysian players who have resided in the state for at least two years.

“The tournament will be a platform for the association to identify new talents.

“The entry fee is RM65 for adult while those below the age of 16 will get free registration,” he said.

Kok said the tournament, which will start at 6pm every day, will offer bigger cash prizes compared to past competitions.

The winner will receive RM2,000 which is an increase of RM500 while the runner-up RM900 (RM200 increase) and semifinalists RM350 each (up by RM50).

However, the prize money for quarter-finalists remained at RM150 each.

The top four winners will also receive trophies.

“The tournament will start with the Double Elimination Race-To-Seven format until the Round-of-16, where the knock-out format will come into play.

“The Round-of-16 and quarter-finals will be RaceTo-Nine matches while the semifinals and final a RaceTo-Eleven showdown,” he added.

Kok went on to say that the tournament will follow the Malaysian Snooker and Billiard Federation (MSBF) rules and regulation and that participants must be in neat and suitable attire throughout the competition.

“Those who do not follow the dress code will be disqualified,” he said.

The closing date of registration is on November 4 while the match draw will be conducted on November 5 starting 7:30pm at the tournament venue.

For further information contact 088-420108 (Sheffield), 019-8417953 (Frankie), 0138518765 (Liau Mun Loong), 016-8209642 (Kok Jken Yung) or 016-8301801 (Sam Loh).

Dovizioso wins in Malaysia to extend title fight

SEPANG (Malaysia): Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso won a drama-filled wet Malaysian MotoGP grand prix to keep his world title hopes alive after championship leader Marc Marquez finished fourth.

“Yes, I am happy to keep my championship challenge alive,” he said at the trackside.

The Italian adopted a cool strategy and just worked hard to remain in the front pack. - AFP