“The Malta Billiards & Snooker Association (MBSA) has a long and impressive history with regard to the staging of international events in Malta. The six tournaments which the MBSA has undertaken to organise in March 2005 will surely rank as one of the most ambitious ever.”

This was announced by Dr David Farrugia Sacco, President of the Malta Billiards & Snooker Association, during the press conference for the launching of the Cisk Lager Mediterranean Cup, Cisk Lager European Team Championships and the Cisk Lager World Billiards Championships at the Dolmen Resort Hotel.

“We are grateful to all our sponsors who are supporting us in these international tournaments, in particular Cisk Lager as the title sponsors of these events and the Malta Sports Council. Without their assistance the events would not have been possible.”

“The MBSA has an excellent and dynamic team running this season’s events. I am confident that our efforts will go a long way to confirming the popularity of our sport in Malta. We have ensured that as many local players as possible will have the opportunity of competing at international level, and also at the same time giving some of our younger players a unique opportunity to develop their talents and skills.”

Ivan Filletti, Cisk Lager Brand Executive at Simonds Farsons Cisk plc, said, “Through sport sponsorships we connect with our customers, sharing and supporting their interests and passions.  We look forward to sharing the enthusiasm of the many supporters with our sponsorship to the MBSA tournaments. We are also extending our sponsorship for the Snooker National Premier Division held during 2005 at social clubs and bars.” 

The press conference was also addressed by Franco Azzopardi, Chairman of the Kunsill Malti ghall-iSport who congratulated the MBSA on the active role they are taking in the ever-growing market of Sports Tourism.  ‘The Kunsill Malti ghall-iSport is proud to be an active participant in supporting the MBSA and other Maltese sport associations in such endeavours.  The KMS has compiled statistics which show that in 2004, 16,000 bed nights were utilised by persons who came to Malta specifically to attend or participate in sport events.  Some come over to make use of our facilities in our inclement weather. In fact, at this very moment, the Marsa Sports Grounds, which fall under the KMS’ administration, are being used by foreign teams who have specifically come over to make use of the facilities available.

Others participating in indoor sport have chosen our Islands because of the excellent facilities available in the local hotel industry.  This particular event, and others like it, are already increasing, and will increase the amount of bed-nights sold by the industry.  The KMS would like to congratulate the MBSA on its initiative and business outlook, and to take this opportunity to encourage other sport associations to propose similar or innovative ideas which will increase Sports Tourism in Malta, and is also encouraging the Government to allocate particular funds in support of these endeavours.”

Richard Balani, CEO of the Malta Billiards & Snooker Association then went on to give more details on the events themselves. “The MBSA’s ambitious plans to stage not just one, but four international events will bring to Malta over 200 players, officials, delegates and supporters, and it will surely be a busy time for the hard working MBSA officials.”

Cisk Lager Mediterranean Cup

The first tournament, the Cisk Lager Mediterranean Cup, will be a 64 player snooker event and will be played on the 5th and 6th March 2005. The players will be drawn into 16 groups of 4 players each, and the round robin stage will determine the group winners who will then go on to the knockout stage, that is, the Last 16, Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Final. There will be a prize fund of 2000 Euros for this event, with 550 Euros going to the winner.

Cisk Lager European Teams Championships (Men, Seniors and Ladies)

From the 7th to 12th March, the Cisk Lager European Teams Championships will be staged. Forty-four teams from Belgium, Cyprus, England, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Isle of Man, Israel, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland and Wales will compete in the 3 events comprising the European Teams Championships – Mens, Ladies and Seniors.

The Mens event, with a prize fund of 2500 Euros, will be contested by 24 teams, and each team will consist of 3 players each who will play 2 frames each against every member of the opposing team. There will be the first group stage where the teams will be drawn into 6 groups of 4. The winners and runners up of each group will go on to play for the top 12 positions in the tournament, while the 3rd and 4th placed will compete for positions 13 to 24.

The second group stage will consist of 4 groups of 3 teams each, with the winners going on to the Semi Finals, and eventually the Final. All teams will be playing to determine every single position, from 1 to 24.

The Ladies event, with a prize fund of 1250 Euros, will be contested by 8 teams, and each team will consist of 2 players, who will play 2 frames against each member of the opposing team. There will be an initial group stage, where the teams will be divided into 2 groups of 4 players each, with the winners and runners up going on to the Semi- Finals and eventually the Final. The 3rd and 4th placed of both groups will play for positions 5 to 8.

Similarly, the Seniors event, with a prize fund of 1250 Euros and open to players over 40, will be contested by 12 teams. As in the Ladies event, each team will consist of 2 players each, who will play 2 frames each against each member of the opposing team. The initial group stage will be contested by 4 groups of 3 players each, with the winners competing for positions 1 to 4, the runners up competing for positions 5 – 8, and the 3rd placed competing for positions 9 – 12. The finals of all three events will be played on Sunday 12th March at 6pm.

World Billiards Championships (150 Up and Time Format)

As if all this was not enough, the MBSA was then asked by the International Billiards & Snooker Federation to assist them by organizing the World Billiards Championships. We duly complied, undertaking to organise not one, but 2 separate championships in 2 formats, 150 Up, and the traditional Time Format.

Thirty-two players from Australia, Belgium, England, India, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Malta, Republic of Ireland and Singapore will compete in both formats. The players will be divided into 8 groups of 4 players each, with the winners and runners up of each group going through to the Last 16, Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and the Final.

The 150 Up format will be played between the 13th and the 16th of March on a best of 5 game basis for the group stages, best of 7 for the Last 16 and Quarter Finals, best of 9 for the Semi finals, and best of 11 for the Final.

The Time Format will be played between the 17th and the 20th of March, and the group stages matches will be played over 2 x 1.5 hour sessions per match. The Last 16, Quarter Finals and Semi Finals will be played over 2 x 2 hour sessions, while the Final will be played over 3 x 2 hour sessions.

All the matches will be played on 12 brand new Wiraka tournament tables which the MBSA has made arrangements to bring over especially for these events, and there will be several hundred frames played from 9 am to 11.30 pm every day throughout the tournament, indeed a very busy time for all concerned!

Snooker National Premier Division

Cisk Lager is extending its sponsorship for the Snooker National Premier Division being held at social clubs and village bars throughout Malta. The first two rounds of the Premier Division have already been completed.  The matches will be resumed after international tournaments.