SIBU: Most of the top snooker players in the state will descend in Sarikei from March 9 to 13.
They will take part in the inaugural Sarikei Open Snooker Championship to be held at Sarikei Kelab Cue Repok.
Among the big names are former state champions and veterans such as James Giam, Ricardo Sim, Rolando Lim and Tan Chin Yong from Kuching, Jeremy Ku from Miri, and Ng Hong Man, Mark Yeo, Danny Wong and Sim Hong Hui from Sibu.
Sarikei’s best spearheaded by Elvis Wong will also pit their skills against the visitors.
Wong is the owner of Sarikei Kelab Cue Repok which is organising the event.
All eyes will be on Ng Hong Man who is the 2016 Sarawak Closed Snooker Champion during the four-day championship.
He is riding on his victory in the recent Sibu City Swan Snooker Championship.
But the lanky player denies he is the favourite to win.
“I dare say there is no clear favorite as the standard of most of the top players are at par.
At the end of the day, it all boils down to whoever have a stronger mentality to weather the pressure,” he said while singling out rivals from Kuching.
“I know the players, especially those from Kuching, will be out to win the title. This will be the biggest test for me since the Sibu City Swan Championship,” he added.
Besides the big four from Kuching, at least five other players have also signed up to compete.
Apart from Jeremy Ku, challengers from Miri include Paul Wong, Johnny Foo, Scott David and Fhamie.
Meanwhile, Elvis expressed his eagerness to host the tournament in the most professional manner.
“This is the first time that snooker enthusiasts in Sarikei have the opportunity to witness all the state top players coming to vie for the titles,” he said.
The tournament champion will take home RM2,000, the runner-up will pocket RM1,000 while semi-finalists and quarter-finalists will receive RM500 and RM200 each respectively.
A century breaker will also win an additional RM500.
The competition will be played on a single knockout basis for the best of five frames with the best of seven frames in the grand final.
Entry fee is RM50 per person and the closing date for entries is March 2.