Players vie for billiard trophy

JAKARTA (JP): About 200 players are expected to compete in the billiard championship for the Kapolda (Jakarta police chief) Cup, the organizer said on Monday.

The four-day championship will take place from July 22 to July 24 and will be held at Bengkel Night Park on Jl. Sudirman. It is organized by the Indonesian Billiard Foundation (YBI) in cooperation with the Indonesian Billiards and Snooker Association (POBSI) and the Jakarta Police.

Adil Kesuma of YBI said a total cash prize of Rp 9 million would be awarded to the winners of the championship.

"So far 40 people have registered but we have limited the participants to 200 only. Each participant must pay a registration fee of Rp 25,000. The championship is open to the public and will use nine balls," Adil said.

Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman is expected to open the championship and National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar might attend the opening, Adil said.

POBSI chairman Putera Astaman hopes that through the championships Indonesia could create talented billiard players.

"We hope from the championships, we can create talented billiard players who will replace the seniors. The winners of this tournament will be invited to witness the billiard and snooker events at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam, Aug. 7 to Aug. 15," Putera said.(lnt)