KHARTOUM - The new African confederation in carom billiards is searching for an organizer for the first African three cushion championship. The tournament was on the calendar for June and should be played in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, but for organizational reasons the championship has been postponed or canceled.
Alhussein Alsharif, the president of the new confederation, established last year by the UMB (world federation), indicates that there are transport (shipping)problems with delivering of the billiard tables. As a result, the preparation is jeopardized. ''
He continues: ,,We are still in discussion whether we want to postpone the championship and still play it in Sudan, look for another African country to host the tournament.''
For the Egyptian champion Sameh Sydhom, it is very important that the tournament will be organized. He is thirtieth on the world ranking now. With 80 points he can earn by winning the confederal championship, Sidhom comes close to the top twelve.
Sidhom hopes that another organizer will be found. ,,I think it's not only important for myself that we will play the championship: if it will be cancelled definitely, that will be considered a failure to the federation.''
,,Maybe, it would have been better that this first African championship was organized in Egypt'', says Sidhom. ,,That's the only country with a three cushion culture. The other African countries still have to get used to that culture.''
The African board ensures that Sudan, a country south to Egypt, has built up the federation to launch the tournament: there is an organizer and sponsor which would host the championship snooker, pool and carom (three cushion). Because of the preparation problems, not only the three tournaments are canceled, also the Pan-African championship.
,,We hope to find a solution quickly'', says Alhussein Alsharif, who's convinced that the championship will be played.