Doha: The superb organisation and the top-notch hospitality Qatar is globally reputed for having endeared the country to all players and officials of all sports, including billiards and snooker, and that is why players have always seen any tournament hosted by the country as a must-attend, International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) President Mubarak Al Khayarin has said.
Speaking exclusively to Sports2Day, Al Khayarin said, “Qatar has rapidly emerged as a global sports powerhouse over the years, captivating athletes and fans alike. Its strategic investments in world-class infrastructure, lucrative financial incentives, and unique cultural experiences have made it a prime destination for major sporting events. Everybody looks forward to coming to Qatar to participate in tournaments hosted by the country and enjoy the warm hospitality among others.”
The IBSF President added that Qatar has been consistently hosting international and continental billiards and snooker tournaments over the past eight years, with six IBSF World Championships and eight Asian Confederation of Billiard Sports (ACBS) championships hosted within the same period.
“Since 2016, Qatar has become more or less the home of billiards and snooker with the successful hosting of these tournaments. The testimonials about our tournament have been quite impressive, and we are always willing to do more thanks to the support from the leadership of Qatar, who have made the country a global hub for sports.”
Al Khayarin noted that the ongoing IBSF World Snooker and Billiards Championships 2024, being hosted in Qatar until November 9 at the new 2,400 square-meter facility of the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation (QBSF), have proven to be one of the best so far considering the quality of performance of the players and the tough competition they have been presenting.
“It has been a very tough tournament, which is very good for our sport because the tougher the competition, the better it brings out of the players. IBSF decided to have a new format this year, and for the first time-ever, we are having age one and stage two in the snooker championship, for example, which makes it a bit tougher than the previous tournaments. Compared to the last tournament, there were 64 players in the first qualifier and 57 in the second. The qualification into the main event became tougher than the previous, but the most important thing is that the tournament has been a resounding success,” he said.
The IBSF President added that the impact of Qatar’s strategic approach to billiards and snooker is evident in the increasing number of Qatari players competing at the international level and the country’s successful hosting of major snooker events.
“This development has not only elevated Qatar’s sporting profile but has also inspired a new generation of snooker enthusiasts in the region. As Qatar continues to invest in billiards and snooker, the sport’s popularity and growth in the country are expected to further flourish, solidifying Qatar’s position as a global powerhouse,” he added.
Al Khayarin thanked the Minister of Sports and Youth, H E Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, for the ministry’s magnanimity in providing the new ultra-modern academy for the QBSF.
