HCM City (VNA) – Close to 150 leading cueists from 17countries and territories worldwide are gathering for the Three-Cushion CaromBilliards World Cup, which will officially open in Ho Chi Minh City on May 25.
Among them are world number one Caudron Frederic of Belgium, world number twoand defending champion Merckx Eddy, also of Belgium, Spaniard David Martinez, JapaneseYusuke Mori and the Dutchman Sam Van Etten.
“The event will have a high competition as it attracts many famous names aroundthe world. I will try my best to defend my title,” said Eddy.
Vietnam sent 18 cueists to the tournament, including 2017 Asian champion NguyenQuoc Nguyen (World No 15), Tran Quyet Chien (No 18), Ma Minh Cam (No 17), 2017 Asiansilver medallist Duong Anh Vu (No 26) and Ngo Dinh Nai (No 30)
Speaking at a press conference in the city on May 24, Nguyen Minh Hoang,President of the Asian Carom Billiard Confederation, said the tournament has received greatfinancial and technical support from the World Billiards Union (UMB). This will helpthe tourney become more professional.
He revealed that total prize value this year will double that of 2017, with 16,000EUR to be given to the champion, and 10,000 EUR and 6,000 EUR to the first and secondrunners-up respectively.
This is the fourth time HCM City has hosted the Billiards World Cup. The tournamentwill conclude on May 27.-VNA