26th SEA Games Hosted by Indonesia

 26th SEA Games Hosted by Indonesia.

Click here to view

Cue Sports in the Asian Games

CUE SPORTS IN THE ASIAN GAMES

                                     By

Professor Dato’ Ar W Y Chin D.S.P.N.

P Arch; B Arch(Syd); M TCP(Syd); A CI Arb(Lond); FPAM; FRAIA; FMIP: ARIBA; MRTPI; MRAPI

President, Malaysian Snooker & Billiards Federation

Vice President, Olympic Council of Malaysia

Sports & Rules Committee & Council, South-East Asian Games Federation

Vice President, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology

..……………………………………………………………………………………

PREAMBLE

At time of writing, OCA had decided to reschedule the Cue Sport to be competed in its Asian Indoor Games. Albeit an appeal is ongoing for its reinstatement in the Summer Games, hopefully, this will be  successful, albeit the chances of success thereof appear relatively remote, in so far as the 2014 Incheon Asian Games is concerned.

The reason for OCA’s latest decision is that its present Summer Asian Games is getting increasingly bigger; thus, it has become correspondingly very costly to organize and be participated therein.

The recently concluded Guangzhou 16th Asian Games by far saw a mammoth staging thereof comprising 54 sports, delivering 1,577 medal awards.

CHINA: THE POWERHOUSE

Undoubtedly, China is a powerhouse, rarely matched by others, in hosting and organizing major sport events as exemplified in both their Beijing 2008 Olympics and their recent Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games. Furthermore, Nanjing had grabbed hosting the 2014 Olympic Youth Games with no matching rivalry.

Because the Asian Games is getting exceedingly big, it has become somewhat a financial burden for many countries wanting to host it as well as many countries endeavoring to participate therein with their full team.

It is indeed a glaringly achievement under the circumstance as far as Guangzhou is concerned and they need to be congratulated on their marvelous feat.

THE INDOOR ASIAN GAMES

To reduce the hosting/participating costs, OCA had decided to henceforth limit to a maximum of 28 sports to be staged in any of its Summer Games (athletics & swimming are mandatory included) while the remaining other indoor sports are to be re-classified and be participated in its Indoor Games, of which the Cue Sport has since been designated and announced.

Competing in the Asian Summer Games is indeed a prestige and glamour experienced by most sports concerned. If the Cue Sport were to be relegated to be staged in the Indoor Games, this admittedly would lose much of its luster hitherto gained.

In addition, not many NOCs, Malaysia included, would accredit the  Asian Indoor Games with an equal standing, compared to its Summer Games, for funding provisions for participation. Neither would there be any prize moneys awarded to the medal achievers in due recognition.

In short, the Asian Indoor Games has equally lost its credibility as far as many NOCs are concerned. It is deemed a free-for-all participating event by any NSA who could afford to take part.

For this very reason, Malaysia had dropped its accreditation status altogether for the Asian Indoor Games; this had accounted for our physical absence at the previous Macau and Vietnam Indoor Games, save to allow any of our other NSAs to compete therein at their own expense.

In addition, the Asian Indoor Games by the host country in itself  is unable to attract wide-spread response in support. To compensate  this, the host country has to beef up its competing events by introducing hybrid events that are not truly sporting events but are certain recreational ones such as shuttle-cork kicking, rock-climbing, roller-skating, electronic games etc.

CUE SPORT IN THE SUMMER GAMES

Cue Sport was pioneered in the 1989 Asian Games hosted by  Thailand. Understandably, at that material time, Thailand ranked virtually Asia No. 1 in snooker. It was therefore deemed their preference to include Cue Sport therein, the final results thereof unfortunately did not come true in their favour.

Prior thereto, including the ensuing Busan Asian Games, there was no bidder to host for the Asian Games. It is a sort of no bidder save being left entirely to any taker. Hence, OCA was not truly within its bargaining power to dictate and impose whatever sports and events they deemed fit to be included in their sports programme.

In the case of the Commonwealth Games, there was hitherto no team event permissible for its staging, save to confine expressly to individual events; when Malaysia hosted its 1998 edition, we bargained and obtained successfully, certain team events being introduced theretoe.g. hockey, ten bowling etc.

In the case of Busan, they were rather adamant to accept Cue Sport for their edition. We had to fight very hard for its final acceptance. Even then, Busan had decidedly increased the number of carom and pool events, which they excelled in, to help them winning more gold medals, which they finally did.

When we entered the Doha edition, it was lucky that the wealthy Qatari only wanted their Games to be presented as the best ever. They therefore engaged foreign ‘experts’ to organize their Games entirely on their behalf, especially those who had prior organizing experience from the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

The Cue Sport included in Doha was of no exception; personally, I had to go against these “expertise” to gain my way. And I am glad that Guangzhou had done it as Frank Sinatra sang it “My Way”, without engaging any so-called ‘expatriate’ experts.

In the case of Guangzhou, China had since come of age in their Cue Sport achievements, particularly, in snooker where they had created the sensationals like Ding Jin Hui and others; even in pool, they are now world beaters.

If one were to gauge by China’s win of 199 gold medals in the Guangzhou Games, what would China bother whether they could perform or otherwise in their the instant Cue Sport outing. Yet, h, in any event, they still came out top of the gold medal tally in this event.

IF FOR CUE SPORT NEED BE MORE PRAGMATIC

Incheon, being yet another Korean City, is unlikely to support Cue Sport voluntarily for its inclusion. This decision, however, is rendered easier by OCA who now declares its Summer Games will be competed with a maximum 28 sports.

Malaysia, being represented on the OCA Sports Programme Committee, equally feels it difficult that OCA would change its mind. This is because OCA, unlike its yesteryears, is reasonably resourceful to flex its economic muscles. Nowadays to host the Asian Games need to be bid for compared to yesteryears where there were no takers.

On the other hand, the Cue Sport does not seem to reinforced itself as one IF in entity for presentation of it sport for multi-sport participation, having standard sort events and procedures for staging; in fact, it varies from Games to Games which poorly reflects on its inconsistency and unprofessionalism for whatever angle one views it, compared with many other popular sports by other governing IFs.

In essence, the Cue Sport is still fragmentally run by multiple sub- autonomies, duly represented by the respective Ifs comprising   WPBSA (WSA), WCBS, WPA, UMB, IBSF or regionally ACBS APBU etc. It is indeed a maze to the multi-sport bodies to visualize its comprehensive structure especially to a layman who but possesses the power to decide. To the general public this is made worse in the absence of any such back-ups.

Despite the asset that the Cue Sport has, being represented by its millions of players, of both sexes, including its youths and competed under all weathering conditions, it, however, lacks a comprehensive and cohesive strategy to present its sport readily acceptable by all multi-sport bodies as well as the general public.

The Cue Sport comprises a bigger family than most other IFs. It primarily consists of 3 main disciplines duly represented by snooker, pool and carombole. Each again consists of many sub-disciplines like, in the case of snooker, straight snooker, English billiards, American snooker, Russian snooker, volunteer snooker, etc. In pool, it has  9 ball, 8 ball, 10 ball, 15 ball, 5-Pin etc and in carom, 3 cushion, 1 cushion, 14.1 etc.

Certainly, multi-sport bodies are not interested in the quagmire of the multi-events of the sport but, more specifically, the standard  presentation of its and events and format of competition. These must be effective and being well-received by the press media and the general public at large. 

In swimming, track & fields, badminton, table-tennis etc, their competing events are forever standardized for due recognition and acceptance. They are virtually trade-marks of sports.

For the Cue Sport, it unfortunately is not sufficiently clear and matured for it varies from each competition to another, which are not readily recognized, especially by multi-sport bodies, especially the press and electronic media for their required publicity and promotion.

Much of the working decisions must, of necessity, revolve from the governing bodies concerned. No press media is ever keen to attend to any unpublicized and murky event, without having fast the benefits of its competition format and procedures  to be rushed to meet up with their print time.

Otherwise, the media would forever prefer to stick on to their more familiar sports for their publicity. More importantly, press media dislike very much any competition event be dragged into the unearthly hours of the morning, to obtain the required competition results.

ARTIFICIAL EVENTS     

The Olympic Charter does not permit any artificial sport or events  to be included in their sports programmes. Artificial events are the composite of individual events making up as a summation total to constitute a team event. For example, you do not play for 3 individual snooker events to make up a summation total to constitute a team event.

Team events must, of necessity, compete by a team of players  such as football; basketball; hockey; rugby; netball; volley-ball etc. They certainly are unlike composite snooker team events. In addition, as the Cue Sport comprises 3 disciplines of snooker pool and carom, it ought be equitably distributed for representation.

Pursuant to Article 34.1 of the SEA Games Charter, no artificial event is permitted as hereunder prescribed:

                                  “Article 34.1 

 there shall be no artificial events, especially for those adopted         team events, unless the same are already practised in the Olympic or Asian Games”

In the case of the Olympic Games, there is no artificial event; for the Asian Games, two wrongs do not make one right.

In a way, the World Games under the GAISF follows quite closely to the Olympic format, allowing only singles to be competed in their 4 specified Cue Sport events duly represented by straight snooker, 3 cushion carom, 9 ball Pool for men and women. It is quite equitably distributed and the sport would take at most 5 days to conclude.

The Cue Sport is rendered worse by introducing therein the artificial 6 red snooker ball event which is never accredited authentically sport  event. If it is, it should straightaway replace the standard 15 red ball game, the latter is currently solely adopted by WSA. This  principle of practice is duly adopted for table tennis, which has since internationally scrapped their 21 point game in lieu of the currently adopted 11 point game.

The 6 ball has the advantage of making faster the available result compared to the standard 15 ball game. If that be the case, there would be no qualms for its adoption for multi-sport competition provided the 15 ball ought to be scrapped and not running the two events in parallel.

The 6 snooker red book is likened in badminton playing to an 11 point game for a win; if that be the case, the current 21 point game needs to be superseded. But badminton is steadfastly adhering to its 21 point game, save that they had since removed their second service requirement.

Sport events should not be governed by any individual interest; it must be for the best interest of the game. If the IF persists in introducing artificial events which is contradictory to the IOC Charter, it may spell the end of the Cue Sport for any possible  inclusion into the Incheon Asian Games for 2014.

ANOTHEFR CRITERION FOR CUE SPORT INCLUSION

Apart from sport/event factors, another major consideration for Asian Games inclusion lies in its staging cost. Even taking the Cue Sport of 3 main disciplines per se, we need, on average, a competition venue that can accommodate over 20 match-tables.

This discounts further the required practice venue connected therewith. Apart from China, which host country can thereafter the Games can utilize to the full the left-over tables and play equipment?. Hence, this cost factor must be taken into due consideration when multi-sport bodies and the host country concerned are contemplating organizing the Cue Sport in their Games.

In the case of soccer, basketball and many other sports, they are only competing for one gold medal in total tally; but for the Cue Sport, 10-12 medals are presently quite a standard. Here again, increasing the number of medal events in the SEA Games is acceptable but in high performance sport as in the Asian Games this ought to be cut down.

And if we are progressively adding thereon more events, this will invariably act against our own interest, due to its mammoth cost factor which is likened putting a rope around our own neck!

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, for the Cue Sport per se, with respect, the IF concerned must perform its self-assessment exercise to strike an equitable balance for its inclusion in multi-sport participation. More importantly,

IF must project its target of performance and achievements. In addition, it must review its match presentation so that its future  claim for inclusion is sustainable and supported by by facts and figures in support.

Regrettably, presently the Cue Sport merely drags along aimlessly with no system of self-appraisal. It must always be remembered that the Cue Sport is constantly competing with other rivalry sports for due acceptable in the eyes of the consuming public.

In the above premise, the multi-sport bodies just cannot arbitrarily support the Cue Sport. As a case precedent, the Cue Sport was accredited in the sports programmes of the Commonwealth Games Federation way back in 1998. Yet, after 13 years, we are still to get the Cue Sport competed in 3 preceding Commonwealth Games held respectively by Manchester, Melbourne and New Delhi.

Mind you, all the above three hosting countries for the Commonwealth Games are snooker-playing countries; yet the Cue Sport remains in its doldrums of acceptance. It is indeed doubtful if Glasgow would include the Cue Sport in their 2014 Games as there is no cae precedent in support.

On the other hand, both the soft ball and baseball are the Olympic sports for many years. Yet they were voted out and being dropped for the London 2012 Games onwards. There is indeed little hope, if any, for them to return back to the Olympic Games because into the bus is already fully loaded. Let this be a good lesson to the Cue Sport, if we are not sufficiently cautious to safeguard our presence, we may be booted out one day into the river of no return!  

For the Incheon Asian Games, we are additionally competing with many other worthy indoor sports for inclusion such as badminton, gymnastics, fencing, squash, ten-pin bowling, table-tennis etc.

Irrespectively, all Olympic sports are always given the first preference for selection!

I am presently on a very much higher plane of sports management; I am purely advising what I can possibly see from the eyes of multi-sport bodies which I am a party thereto.

Prof Dato’ Ar W Y Chin

December 1, 2010 

THE BILLIARDS SPORT, MSBF & ME

By Prof Dato’ Ar W.Y Chin, President of Malaysian Snooker & Billiards Federation & Vice President of Olympic Council of Malaysia.

Click here to view more…

16th Asian Games, Guangchou

16th Asian Games: our Ibrahim Amir

The 16th Guangzhou Asian Games saw our Ibrahim Amir performed extraordinarily to win his silver medal in the 8 ball pool event. With a little bit more luck he could have achieved gold much to his own accomplishment and an envy to all.

Ibrahim amidst 49 years of age having 2 previous failed attempts at the Asian Games had finally made good for his win amongst a strong field of rivalry hailing from predominantly pool-playing countries like Chinese Taipei, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, etc.

It has often been said for billiards as long as one having a pair of good eye-sight, one can still perform to reasonable standard without any noticeable handicap. Ibrahim therefore had proven this right by his sheer determination against all odds to bring glory and honour not only to himself, but also to MSBF and finally to Malaysia.

To his notable achievements, MSBF pays herewith tribute to him and wishes him henceforth many more productive years until finally he still plays his useful role as a national coach.

MSBF News

MSBF TO OPEN UP ITS MEMBERSHIPS

In order to keep up with the time and challenges, MSBF Council had recently decided to open its memberships to all, covering an additional two new categories of memberships.

Apart from the Founder members and representative State Associations, there shall be a new category of Affiliate Members, consisting of individual snooker centres and clubs. Another category of Individual Members shall include anyone interested in the billiards sports.

It is to be noted that applicants for the above memberships are expressly confined to their entitlement to become a MSBF member, subject to one-off payment of entry fees and renewable annual subscription fees.

MSBF memberships shall be duly recognized by issuing thereto a valid membership certificate, earmarked with a serial number and its validity period.

Being a MSBF member, the registrant is entitled to consult MSBF on all matters concerning the billiards sports and its international connections, the standard procedures of organizing recognized local and international championships, inclusive of any assistance for soliciting participation of overseas players. Other benefits entails the provisions of qualified referees and coaches.

For full details please write or e-mail to MSBF General Manager, Patricia Kang.

PATRICIA KANG, GENERAL MANAGER OF MSBF

Effective from December 15, 2010, Patricia Kang will be appointed full-time as Manager of MSBF.

Patricia needs no introduction as she has been MSBF Executive Secretary before and her association with the billiards sports spans over 20 years.

Any enquiry please contact her vide mobile 012-2780141.

MALAYSIAN SUKMA GAMES

The annual SUKMA Games which used to be hosted and organized by a designated has now changed its format being treated as a national event under the auspicious of the Sports Ministry and MSN.

Henceforth, the SUKMA Games will held annually in Kuala Lumpur allowing participation of every sport with half thereof being included in one SUKMA Games of the year while the other half in the ensuing SEA Games. In other words, no sport will be left out for staging in the SUKMA Games.

As the SUKMA Games is restricted to players not exceeding 23 years in age, and a minimum of 5 States participating, it is advised that all States shall now start promoting young players for the sport. This is understandable for without younger players there would be no succession plan for the future. Besides, for the billiards sports to excel, it has to start from the young and certainly not the present governing age of 18 and above.

BILLIARDS EXCLUDED IN 17TH ASIAN GAMES

OCA had decided to restrict its Summer Asian Games to only confine to 28 sports for staging which is in great contrast to the present Guangzhou 16th Asian Games for having 42 sports. The ration adopted by OCA is that the Asian Games over the years had become far too large and are costly to organize.

Apart from the mandatory swimming events, all water sports will be held within its Beach Games, like the upcoming series scheduled for Oman commencing from December 8 onwards.

The Billiards Sports which had hitherto been competed in the main Games held in Bangkok, Pusan, Doha and Guangzhou will be relegated to be included in the Asian Indoor Games.

Consequent thereto, the 17th Asian Games in Incheon (Korea) scheduled for 2014 shall be without the Billiards Sports.

ACBS is now fighting hard for billiards sports’ reinstatement into the main Summer Asian Games; the chance of success, however, is slim at the moment. The inclusion of unauthorized sport events in the Billiards Sports is instrumental to such a disfavor, as the OCA follows closely with the Olympic Charter which disallows any inclusion of an artificial event for competition.

28 TH SEA GAMES, INDONESIA

The 26th SEA Games shall be hosted by Indonesia next year with its Opening Ceremony now scheduled for November 11, 2011.

This time, the major city hosting the Games in Indonesia is Palembang in Sumatra, a city comprising some 7million population. Fortunately, as far as Malaysia is concerned, there is  a direct flight by Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur to Palembang.

The rest of the sports will be staged in Jakarta. Altogether 42 sports, including the billiards sports, will be staged, the events thereof shall be further decided at the next Council meeting now scheduled on December 4, 2010 in Bali.

The next SEAG Games after Indonesia will be hosted by Myanmar.

MSBF BGM ON DECEMBER 17, 2010

The 9th Biennial General Meeting shall be held at 6pm, December 17, 2010 at the National Training Centre, Penthouse, Casa One, National Sports Complex, Bt Jahlil, Kuala Lumpur.

A new Council shall be elected and or appointed into office for the ensuing term; there will be a considerable revamp in order to upgrade MSBF’s functions to meet the expanded requirements of the billiards sports especially in the running of business by snooker centres and clubs at large.

Anyone interested to contribute any service to the MSBF may submit their names with credentials to the General Manager. The decision thereof shall be made by the Executive Board and thereafter the applicant concerned will be informed.

Likewise, any snooker centre wishing to host tournaments can notify their intent to the General Manager. Furthermore, any snooker centre wanting to host or sponsor MSBF’s annual National Championships may do likewise.

The Year of 2011 will register MSBF with new energy and determination to implement better and more effective the development of the sport. This should augur well with private centres that will benefit in their business operations and at the same time to help source new talents to take over the aging seniors.

Results Page for 16th Guangzhou Asian Games

The Snooker & Pool Contingent will be departing for Guangzhou tomorrow morning to compete in the Billiard Sports. A total of 10 medals is being given out and our Contingent will be taking part in 6 events. Below are the drawsheets for all 10 events for those who are interested.

Men – 3 Cushion Carom – Single

Men – English Billiards – Single

Men – Snooker – Single

Men – Snooker – Team

Men – 8 Ball Pool – Single

Men – 9 Ball Pool – Single

Women – 8 Ball Pool – Single

Women – 9 Ball Pool – Single

Women – 6 Red Snooker – Single

Women – 6 Red Snooker – Team

16th Guangzhou Asian Games – Official Website Page – Billiard Sports

Rory records 4th win at Leg 9

Rory with his Champion's trophy

Rory Thor makes a record 4th win as he captures Leg 9 National Ranking Snooker Championship 2010 at Lucky Snooker

Having played Former Asian Snooker Champion Ooi Chin Kay on numerous encounters, Rory held his breath as he makes it through the finish line. He wins by 4-2 to emerge victorious.

Semi Final Results
Jimmy Teo 1 vs 4 Ooi Chin Kay
Lim Zhi Wei 1 vs 4 Rory Thor

Final Result
Ooi Chin Kay 2 vs 4 Rory Thor

Rory scores hattrick in Ranking Championships

(l-r) Rory Thor and Moh Keen Hoo

Rory Thor from Original Omin completes a hattrick as he wins Leg 8 National Ranking Snooker Championship 2010 at Top 2 Snooker, Kuchai Lama, beating Moh Keen from 2K Snooker 4-3.

No 2 Seeded Rory had it easy in his Semi Final match as he whitewashed Roslan Yurnalis from AK Sukan Infra 4-0 to book himself into the Final. Moh on the other hand faced a tougher ordeal as he battled Lai Chee Wei from Century Wiraka, merely making it and squeezing through by winning on the final frame.

As both finalist cued off in the Final, Moh looking exhausted after a 3-hour match, still manage to maintain his form and won the 1st frame to lead in the match. Rory, after a long and comfortable rest, sprang to attention and claimed the next 2 frames to regain lead at 2-1. Moh switched gear immediately and snatched the lead, winning the following 2 frames to bring the score to 3-2, requiring only 1 more frame to claim his first maiden victory in the Ranking Championships. Rory, looking ever so determined, locked Moh in a gridlock and leveled the match at 3-3 with a long pot on the blue, leaving Moh requiring snookers.

Final frame became a see-saw affair as both players were showing nervousness and tensed expressions, leaving the spectators in suspense after sitting through 2 and 1/2 hours of snooker played at it’s highest level. Points were close and both were equally missing easy pots, making it an even harder guess who will prevail at the end. But eventually it was Moh who fell on his own mistake, missing the black on a direct snooker attempt and gave Rory the opportunity to deny Moh his maiden victory while adding one more title to his belt.

Next round will be Leg 9 at Lucky Snooker, Pandan Indah before the Asian Games contingent leaves to Guangzhou.

Final Result
Moh Keen Hoo 3 vs 4 Rory Thor
66-38, 4-80, 19-60, 75-39, 63-12, 38-54, 56-84

Draw – Leg 8 NRSC2010 – Lucky

Below is the Draw sheet for Leg 9 National Ranking Snooker Championship 2010 at Lucky Snooker. The Championship commences on 22 October.

Draw – Leg 9 NRSC2010 – Lucky Snooker

Contingent for Guangzhou Asian Games 2010

The  players that have been selected to represent Malaysia in the Guangzhou Asian Games 2010 for Snooker  & Pool events are as below:-

Snooker – Moh Keen Hoo, Rory Thor Chuan Leong and Lai Chee Wei

Pool (Men) – Ibrahim Amir and Benjamin Lee Poh Soon

Pool (Women) – Esther Kwan Suet Yee and Joanne Suhana Dewi Sabtu

Guangzhou Asian Games 2010 – Official Website