SNOOKER – BAHRAIN could soon see a new ‘national hero’ emerge in snooker to follow in the footsteps of superstar cueist Habib Sabah, according to a top official.
International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) treasurer and sports director Joseph Lo from Hong Kong says that the kingdom’s hosting of the IBSF World Snooker Championships 2025 is an opportunity to inspire a “new generation” of local talent who are presently looking up to Sabah.
The kingdom’s long-time snooker great was the world masters champion in 2023 and has claimed multiple other titles at the regional, continental, and international levels. He is going for gold at home this week in both the masters and six-red competitions.
“Bahrain have a national hero in Habib Sabah – he has been in the scene for many years and he has gotten plenty of recognition,” Lo told the GDN yesterday on the sidelines of the second day of play in this year’s worlds.
“Now, Bahrain must make use of this change to get the new generation to experience, to grow, and to mature in snooker.
“I believe that not far in the future, Bahrain may have another national hero.”
The kingdom’s national team in the 2025 world championships feature a number of juniors who are taking part in the under-17 and under-21 categories. They include Faisal Albasri, Faisal Almaliki, and Hussain Aqeel in the under-17 division, while Almaliki and Aqeel will also be playing in the under-21 group along with fellow-Bahrainis Mahmood Ahmed, Salem Alazri, Abdulla Mohammed, Abdulla Alhalwaki, and Abdulla Alaali.
Lo expressed his delight with Bahrain’s organisation of the competition, which is being held under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman, and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
“The last international event here was in 2005, when the IBSF world juniors took place,” Lo explained. “This year, we have the masters and the men’s six-reds as well, which adds more value to the championships.
“After so many years, the generation of players is totally different, but they are more than happy to come here and play.
“The hotel is excellent – the players are very comfortable having their accommodation and the playing venue within the same premises – and the efforts the Bahrain Billiard Sports and Darts Federation have put in is tremendous.”
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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