Yasin Merchant withdraws while India rely on home advantage: 27th Asian Snooker Championship 2011
Indian cueman Yasin Merchant has withdrawn from the 27th Asian Snooker Championship 2011 due to some personal reasons.
The third seed Yasin was one of the top contenders of the title. On the other hand, the Indian squad is ready to take a psychological advantage playing at home in the championship.
The secretary of organising committee Vishwesh Puranik said that India’s Manan Chandra will participate instead of the former Asian Champion, Yasin in the eight-day tournament. He said, “Merchant has withdrawn as his father is not keeping well. Manan has
replaced him.”
Due to a visa problem, Jordan’s Adnan Abdullah and Suleiman Umar will not be able to take part in the event while the Bahrain duo of Mohammed Al Shaikh and Ahmed Ghuloom have arrived in Hyderabad, India to represent their country in the championship.
However, the Indian cuemen are all set to prove their talent in the 27th Asian Snooker Championship 2011 as they will have the comfort of playing at home. The championship is being held in India after a long time and the players are well aware
of this opportunity to steal the championship for their country.
The Indian squad comprises of former world champion Pankaj Advani who will lead the squad comprising of IH Manudev, Kamal Chawla, Lucky Vatnani, Aditya Mehta and Manan Chandra.
Chandra, who replaced Yasin, considered it a god-gifted chance for him.
“Definitely, it is a great opportunity for me. I have not really done well at the Asian level. So, playing at home, I hope I can do well,” said the 30-year-old Chandra from Delhi.
The event is featuring 44 cueists from 19 countries who are divided into eight groups. The competition will be tough as there are many top contenders from different countries who are capable of clinching the title as well as the prize money of Rs 350,000.
There are at least 10 top nominees for the title from different countries including Pakistan, China, Thailand and India.
The Asian number two, Pakistan’s Muhammad Sajjad is one of the favourites to grab the title as he is in brilliant form. He played outstandingly in the Pak-Iran bilateral snooker series a few days back. The Chinese ace, Jin Long will also be one of the front-runners
for the title.
On the other hand, the young Iranian, Hossein Vafaei Ayouri’s massive break building techniques are second to none and he surely has the capability to cause major upsets in the tournament.
It will be a daunting task for the organising committee to arrange such tournament on big scale and create interest for spectators in the continental competition.
“Of course, it is a challenge. But we have a regular fan following for cue sports in Indore. It is one of the leading centres for cue sports in the country. We expect a good response,” said organising secretary Vishwesh Puranik.
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