World 9-Ball tilt sa disyerto ng Saudi

IPINAHAYAG ng World Pool Association (WPA) na napiling host ang Saudi Arabia sa gaganaping 2020 World Cup of Pool sa Hunyo 23-28 sa Jeddah.

Tampok ang 32 pinakamahuhusay na cue masters mula sa 31 bansa ang magpapakitang husay sa prestihiyosong torneo na gaganapin sa Saudi Arabia sa unang pagkakataon. Naspili ang mga kalahok matapos ang masinsin at pahirapang qualifying criteria at qualification events.

Bilang host, may karapatan ang Saudi Arabia na magpasok ng dalawang koponan na pipiliin ng Saudi Arabian Billiards and Snooker Federation.

Itinuturing isa sa major sports event ang World Cup of Pool mula nang ilunsad ito noong 2006. Ipinapatupad dito ang straight-knockout format at mga laro ay race to 7 sa first two rounds, race to 9 sa quarter-finals at semi-finals, at race to 11 sa championship match.

Defending champion ang tambalan nina Albin Ouschan at Mario He ng Australia. Kabilang sa mga dating kamopeon sa torneo ay mula sa Philippines, China at USA.

“The 2020 World Cup of Pool is another significant step for the Kingdom, that showcases our to desire to open up as welcoming hosts to a diverse mix of world-class sporting events, while also offering the people of Saudi Arabia a chance to be inspired to play a vast array of sports all year-round,” pahayag ni Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki AlFaisal Al Saud, Chairman ng GSA, sa opisyal na mensahe na inilabas ng WPA.

“We are a young vibrant nation with a vast country and a growing list of interests. Early in 2020, Jeddah will stage the opening of the Dakar Rally, the Spanish SuperCup football and the

Saudi International Golf Tournament, and it’s very pleasing to include the World Cup of Pool as further highlight in our sporting calendar,” aniya.

Ipinahayag naman ni Carlo Boutagy, CEO ng CBX, ang official promoter of the event in Saudi Arabia, na gagawin nila ang lahat para mahigitan ang tagumpay nang mga nakalipas na hosting. “CBX is honoured to promote and manage the 2020 World Cup of Pool in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We look forward to showcasing this tactical and absorbing sport which is enjoyed widely throughout the Kingdom.

“Our continued association with Matchroom brings together two organisations that have a dynamic wealth of expertise in delivering world class sporting events. The 2020 World Cup of Pool in Jeddah promises to be an exceptional tournament,” aniya.