Sri Lanka hopes to host World Billiards Tourney next year

by Ranjan Anandappa

The unanimously elected President of the Sri Lanka Billiards and Snooker Association Shafeek Rajabdeen said that his top priority in the agenda will be trying his best to host the World Billiards and Snooker Championship next year in Sri Lanka.

He believed by hosting the event in the Island, it will give the country a tremendous boost for tourism. Billiards and snooker are essentially a rich man’s game and if there is a possibility in staging the tournament in Sri Lanka next year it could attract a good number of tourists.

Snooker produced the first World Champion for Sri Lanka when the late M.J.M. Lafir won the event in Bombay in 1973.

The office bearers of the Sri Lanka Billiards and Snooker Association elected at their Annual General Meeting held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium Hotel yesterday.

Patron: Mahindananda Aluthgamage Minister of Sports.

President: Shafeek Rajabdeen

Secretary: Col. H.G. Vidyananda

Vice Presidents: Faiz Samath, N.Passella, Squadron Leader J.G. Jayalath, Zuresh Hassan, Ameen Mukthar.

Treasurer: J. Jayalal

Tournament Secretary: Ameen Mukthar.