Port Moresby Snooker Open comp launched
THE winner of the BSP 2008 Port Moresby Open Snooker tournament will become the sixth member of the Papua New Guinea side scheduled to participate at the next Oceania titles.
Port Moresby Billiards and Snooker Association executives made this announcement yesterday as they officially launched the BSP POM OPEN, now termed the capital’s premier challenge.
Bank South Pacific put their cues behind PMBSA for the sixth consecutive year to stage Port Moresby Open, which is scheduled from March 20 to 23.
So far PNG Open champion Peter Fong, runner-up Brian Fong and top junior Djorne Fong have qualified for the April Oceania titles in Australia.
Female champion Geua John and runner-up Maggie Hou have also qualified for the event with the sixth spot to be taken up by the Port Moresby Open champion.
POMBSA president Howard Lahari said BSP is among a whole string of sponsors which have supported snooker and made it very popular with player numbers increasing every year.
“We give our deepest thank you and appreciation to Bank South Pacific for the sixth consecutive year,” Lahari, a top line player himself, said at brief ceremony today to mark the occasion.
He said there was now a C grade division in the SP Inter-Team weekly competition to accommodate the new players which contributed to 22 teams, the highest number of teams since the concept was introduced.
Sponsors representative Albertha Lavi said that BSP was proud to be associated with a sport that was growing in popularity each year.
BSP has donated K7500 which go towards prize money and production of polo shorts which participating players will use as uniforms.
POMBSA secretary Roger Wilson, who will double up as the tournament director, while thanking BSP for its continued support, said the anticipated field of 40-plus players will be divided into eight groups.
The top two will advance to the final 16 before the elimination process starts and culminate with the grand final.
POMBSA and PNGBSA affiliated players are eligible to player in the competition after they pay their nomination fee of K100.
Minor sponsors Imprint, Graffiti Signs, Nationwide Catering Services, Streetscene and supporting sponsors Airlines PNG, Bestcars, Budget Real Estate, Lamana Hotel, Lae Biscuits, Moni Plus, Pacific MMI and Woodstock Sawmill were also acknowledged for their support.
Sports Stories