Khalid Al-Khaili, Executive Director of the Snooker and Billiards Federation, has revealed that the first edition of the first edition of the Snooker League has been set for September 1, to be followed in October with the launch of the Billiards League. Al Khaili told Emirates Today: “The decision to adopt the federation, headed by Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, to establish a league for both snooker and billiard competitions, represents a qualitative leap in both categories, especially since the two new leagues will join the organization of the President's Cup. Competitions will see the participation of the four categories, aiming to discover talents in the UAE capable of achieving the qualitative addition of national teams ».
He explained: «the accumulated experience of the Federation through the organization and hosting major international and regional championships, will facilitate his work in the success of the billiards and snooker league. He said that the snooker league will be launched at the individual level, and the qualifiers will be divided between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Abu Dhabi will host the qualifiers of the Western Region and Al Ain, while the second qualifiers will be held in Dubai and includes the players of Dubai and the Northern Emirates, through which the identity of the 32 finalists, hosted by the Hall. Union in Dubai ».
As for the billiards, he said: “The teams will be organized to represent the halls and centers in the country. Each team will have three players, and one of them must be a citizen, another Arab and a third from the resident category. The halls where competitions will be held will be selected in a special meeting of the Competitions Committee. Next month, this meeting will determine the conditions and standards for these lounges, which are already based on international standards and specifications.
He continued: «Snooker and billiard tournaments have several benefits, most notably the preparation of international players ideally for external participation, in addition to refining the talent of young players, especially as the opportunity is now more for the participation of national players and residents at the level of individual snooker, or teams billiards, especially "The number of game practitioners is increasing."
Al Khaili pointed to the launch of the Cup competitions in billiards and snooker, and said: «as of next January, the tournament will be held periodically», stressing that this participation will increase the benefits and positives in the emergence of new talents, and at the same time contribute to increasing the friction experiences of our national elements.
As for the Union's efforts to attract the female element, he said: “The Billiards and Snooker Federation has arranged for the launch of its activity for the female element.The arrangements are based on providing a suitable atmosphere to attract girls to play these games, in accordance with the directives of the President of the Federation to form a women's team representing the UAE in foreign participation.”
Snooker and billiards arrive in schools
The Executive Director of the Snooker and Billiards Federation, Khalid Al-Khili, confirmed the entry of the game of snooker and billiards to schools starting from the new school season. He said that «the first experience will be limited to the Emirate of Dubai, with two government schools and two other private schools, that this experience will be gradually expanded to all schools in the UAE». He added: «Schools are the real mine for the discovery of talent, which will return to the Union in the future in the ability to support teams of all stages of the Sunni».