LAUSANNE - The European billiards federation CEB has announced the renewal of Longoni's sponsorship for the 2023/2024 season to continue the development and growth of youth billiards. Longoni remains the main and exclusive CEB sponsor for the whole range of youth activities. The biggest change for the new season is that the focus will be on three-cushion and there will be no tournaments for 5-pins. This is due to low participation in bowling events last season.
The CEB will instead try to find other ways to encourage youth 5-pins.
Minor changes have been made to the set-up of the under-21 three-cushion NextGen circuit. The structure remains broadly the same as before. The circuit consists of three events: two Next GEN Grand Prix under-21 tournaments and the European Under-21 three cushion championship. The three events contribute to the creation of a NextGen U21 rankings with the top three players at the end of the season receiving a wild card to the European Championship.
The tournament rules have been adjusted to provide more flexibility in scheduling when there is not a full field of participants, to ensure that players get as many matches as possible while still keeping to the schedule.
The European Under-21 three cushion championship has been included in the Longoni NextGen circuit EuroYouth 2023/24 that will take place in Murcia, Spain 29 Mar-1 April.
The Longoni NextGen Euroyouth in Murcia will also include the European three cushion U17 Championship, the European 5-Pin U21 Championship, the European Free Games U21 Championship and the European Biathlon National Team U21 Championship.
CEB contributes financially to the expenses of the young athletes participating in the CEB-Longoni Next GEN Grand Prix by covering their accommodation costs.
CEB is grateful for Longoni's passion, dedication and sponsorship, which makes it possible to continue the work to help develop youth billiards in Europe. CEB is confident that federations will continue to support their young players.