World Amateur Snooker Championship opens in Korat

This Saturday, Thailand will open the 2007 World Amateur Snooker Championship in Korat, Thailand. The opening ceremony will be held on November 10th and the closing ceremony will take place on November 25th. Participants from 51 countries are scheduled to participate in the cue sports event in Thailand’s north east.

This year, the event comprises three championships: the International Billiard and Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Amateur Snooker Championship, the IBSF World Masters Snooker Championship (for competitors over the age of 40) and the IBSF World Ladies Snooker Championship.

Hosted by Sangsom, the event is being co-hosted by the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand (BSAT). Twenty referees will oversee the actual competition, flying in from Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania to ensure fair play.

The final hours of the competition will be filmed by True Vision national cable TV network or interested parties can head to the Sima Thani Hotel where players will be billeted and playing.

There is a total of US$16,000 in the Men’s Snooker prize fund. The women will be competing for a prize fund totaling US$6000 and the Masters players have a total prize fund of US$8000.

A total of 104 participants will vie for top prizes in the three categories. In the women’s group, 28 players will compete and in the Masters group, 48 players will participate.

Thailand has taken top place four times in the past, in 1988, 1991, 1993, and 1995.