Semi-finalists found in Billiards Nationals

by Sajeewa Jayakody

Mohamed Aslam, A. Jayaratne, Kobaala Sirisoma and Anil Rohana qualified for the semi-finals of the 60th National Billiards Championship worked off at the Sugathadasa Sports Complex, Colombo yesterday.

Defending champion Abdul Sattar of Moors Sports Club suffered a shock defeat at the hands of last year's runner-up club mate Mohamed Aslam by 4 frames to 3 in the first quarter-final yesterday.

Colombo YMBA's A. Jayaratne outplayed Thishan Samarasinghe of Otters Aquatic Club by four frames to 1 out of best of seven frames. Sri Lanka Ports Authority Sports Club's Kobaala Sirisoma had 4-0 easy win over Moors Sports Club's Fizal Haniffa in the third quarter-final while Anil Rohana of Carlton Sports Club outplayed Mohamed Haniff of Sri Lanka Army by 4 frames to 1.

Moors Sports Club's Mohamed Azlam and A Jayaratne of YMBA Colombo were confronting in the first semi-final and Kobaala Sirisoma of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Sports Club and Carlton Sports Club's Anil Rohana were vying for a place in the final at the time of going press.

All the quarter-final events were played for the best of seven frames, the semi-finals were progressing as the best of nine frames. The finals will be played as best of 11 frames, according to the Chief Match Referee of Sri Lanka Billiards Association Mohamed Mukthar.

The finals of the 60th National Billiards Championship will be held today (Sunday) at the Sugathadasa Sports Complex from 4 p.m.

Quarter-final results: Mohamed Azlam (Moors SC) beat Abdul Sattar (Moors SC) by 4-3. A. Jayaratne (YMBA, Colombo) beat Thishan Samarasinghe (Otters Aquatic Club) by 4-1. Kobaala Sirisoma (Sri Lanka Ports Authority SC) beat Fizal Haniffa by 4-0. Anil Rohana (Carlton Sports Club) beat Mohamed Mubeen (Sri Lanka Army) by 4-1.