The center of the pool universe moves to one of the most vibrant places in the Middle East next week, as the World Pool Association’s World 9-ball Championship gets set to kick off in Doha, Qatar, June 21–July 1.
128 of the finest pool talents from 44 countries will gather at Doha’s Al Sadd Sports Club to contest what is widely considered as one of the most prestigious titles in the sport. The prize fund is $250,000 with $36,000 going to the winner.
The Philippines Francisco “Django” Bustamante will be back to defend his crown, which he won last year in Doha with a convincing 13-7 over Chinese-Taipei’s Kuo Po Cheng. Prior to the event, the popular Bustamante had long been considered the greatest player to never win a world title. He won his finals match in spectacular fashion by pocketing the 9-ball on the break in the 20th rack to capture the long sought after crown. Just weeks after he won the World 9-Ball Championship in Qatar, Bustamante cemented his legend when he was elected to the Billiards Congress of America Hall of Fame.
This will be the second year in a row that the World 9-ball championship will be held in Qatar. The country is pegged to host the World 9-ball champion through 2014.
The WPA will be providing complete coverage of all the action from inside the Al Sadd Sports throughout the tournament. Fans around the world can follow matches as they happen via our live scoring platform. In addition, well known pool journalist and TV commentator Ted Lerner will be on hand in Doha providing insights and analysis with articles posted several times daily on the WPA home page.
Qatar is a country buzzing with energy, rich in tradition and bursting with development. With the world’s third largest natural gas reserves, Qatar has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. The capital, Doha, is one of the most progressive capitals in the Gulf region. Within the span of a few years, Qatar has rapidly become one of the world’s leading centers for trade, investment and now sports.
The country has quickly become a major hub for big time international sporting events, including the 2006 Asian Games, the 2011 Asian Cup Football Championships, the opening leg of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship, and many more. Qatar recently won the rights to stage the 2022 FIFA World Cup of Football.
The World 9-ball Championship will begin with a qualifying tournament running from June 21-23, also at the Al Sadd Sports Club. The qualifiers are open to any and all entrants. There will be three qualifiers and entrants can pay $150 for all three events. The qualifying tournaments will be race to seven, alternate break, single elimination.
Players in the tournament proper will be separated into 16 groups of 8, playing a double elimination format, race to 9, alternate Break. 4 qualifiers (2 from winner’s brackets and 2 from loser’s brackets) will advance into the final round of 64 players which is single elimination, race to 11, alternate Break. The final will be a race to 13, alternate break.
For the first time ever in a WPA world championship, the players will be competing on beautiful Diamond tables. The American company recently signed a deal with the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Foundation(QBSF) to become the official sponsor of the 2011 World 9-ball championship.
More information on the 2011 World 9-Ball Championship is below. For complete details please visit the official website of the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Foundation at www.qbsf.net. Click on ’Tournament Information’ for information regarding visas, tournament rules, and up to date schedules.
Tournament Schedule
Both the qualifying stage and the tournament proper will be held at Al Sadd Sports Club
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l Stage 1 Qualifying Round
June 21 (Tu) ~ 23 (Th) Al Sadd Sports Club
Players Meeting
June 24 (Fr) 7:00 p.m. Al Sadd Sports Club
Stage 2 Tournament Proper
Group Round Double Elmination in 16 groups of 8
June 25 (Sa) ~ 28 (Tu) Al Sadd Sports Club
Final Round Knockout Stage of 64 players
June 29 (We) ~ July 1 (Fr Al Sadd Sports Club
Entry Fees
l Qualifying Tournament
USD 150 for 3 tournaments (3 chances)
** Qualifiers are requested to pay the stage 2 entry fee.
l Stage 2 players —- To be paid at players meeting.
USD 200
Tournament Format for the 2011 World 9-ball Championship
Stage 1 qualifying tournament (96 players).
3 tournaments for 3 days. 12 qualifiers from 3 tournaments.
Single Elimination – Race to 7 – Alternate Break.
Stage 2 Group Round (128 players)
1 group (8 players) x 16 groups
Double Elimination – Race to 9 – alternate Break.
4 qualifiers (2 from winner’s brackets and 2 from loser’s brackets)
can advance into the final round of 64 players which is for Single Elimination – race to 11 -Alternate Break. Final – Race to 13.
Prize Fund
1 36,000 x 1 = 36,000
2 18,000 x 1 = 18,000
3 ~ 4 10,000 x 2 = 20,000
5 ~ 8 6,000 x 4 = 24,000
9 ~ 16 4,000 x 8 = 32,000
17 ~ 32 2,500 x 16 = 40,000
33 ~ 64 2,000 x 32 = 64,000
65 ~ 96 500 x 32 = 16,000
Total = 250,000
Hotel Accommodations (Tournament official hotel)
HOLIDAY VILLA HOTEL & RESIDENCE CITY CENTRE DOHA
Address: P.O. Box 47601, Al-Muntazah, Doha, Qatar
http://www.holidayvilladoha.com/
info@holidayvilladoha.com
Tel: +974 4408 4888 Fax: +974 4408 4008
USD 100 for a single bed room with breakfast.
USD 110 for a twin bed room with breakfast.
Room rates inclusive with all the services charges & taxes.
* Contact to: Yacoup Yousef Haji Mobile: (974) 55450246
For additional information contact the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Foundation:
Tel: (974) 5545-0246 Fax: (974) 4435-6077 Email: mailto:w9bc@qbsf.net
