Qatar set to host snooker events this year

KARACHI: Qatar is likely to host back-to-back international snooker tournaments in Doha later this year.

A decision in this regard was taken during an online video meeting held the other day by International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) with president Mubarak Al-Khayarin in the chair.

According to details, Qatar has offered to host IBSF World Championships — men’s and women’s events plus and the Masters.

The annual general body meeting of IBSF and quadrennial elections of the world body will also take place on the sidelines of the competitions.

Meanwhile, Australia and Russia have both shown their interest to host the Junior World Championship next year.

The events that will take place in Doha will mark the revival of global activities of the sport after almost one year. The annual calendar, like other sports, was affected due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The online meeting was also attended by IBSF vice-president Jim Leacy (Ireland), IBSF treasurer Michael Alkhoury (Syria), Pakistan’s Alamgir Sheikh (representative of ACBS), IBSF executive members Frank Dewens (representative of Oceania), Simon Smith (representative of Europe), and Ajeya Prabhakar (representative of Pan America).