Chennai set to be snooker hub

Sources in the association said the YMCA hall in Vepery could soon become a hub of snooker if the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) allots it the matches it has requested to host in the next 12 months. 

BSFI secretary S Balasubramaniam, who was in the city to attend the prize distribution ceremony of the YMCA snooker on Monday, said Chennai could host a couple of big events soon. “The city has a good culture in the sport. Now that TNBSA has found a suitable venue (YMCA) and with young talents coming up (Shrikrishna and Anupama), it is time for the city to look up and hold strong events,” he said. 

TNBSA sources said the secretary has already agreed in principle to allot the National Pool Championship to Chennai in August this year and it would be held at the YMCA in Vepery. In addition to that, he has also agreed to allot the Asian Snooker Championship to the city next year (April). 

The BSFI secretary said the Asian 6-Red Championship this year would be held in Chandigarh in June. “This was scheduled for May, but because of IPL, hotels in Chandigarh were not available. This year’s Asian Snooker Championship will be held in Iran in May,” he said. 

The BSFI secretary said 10 tables are enough to hold the National Pool Championship. The State association is confident the hall at YMCA could accommodate the required number of tables. However, for the Asian Snooker Championships, only eight tables are required. “For a World Championship, you need 20 tables and you cannot have more than a venue too,” he explained. He hinted that the next World Championship will be held in Goa.