HURGHADA - The world federation of billiards UMB (Union Mondiale de Billard) and Kozoom International have signed a historic agreement during the World Cup in Hurghada, whereby the UMB grants the Korean Company the exploitation of its media and marketing rights for a period of five years.
Farouk Barki, UMB president, declared: ,,This agreement will take 3-cushion to another level, and will keep all players united under UMB umbrella.''
The collaboration between the UMB and Kozoom started in 2010. Since then the relationship between both entities have been magnificently increased year after year. It is now time for the next step that allows to reach for the following goal: internationalize the presence of carom billiard and promote it in new regions of the world.
New events will be promoted by Kozoom International from 2018: a continental cup and a series of Master tournaments where top ranking players will be seeded. These events will not award world ranking points, although they will be high level of organization, with prize-money over 150.000 euros each.
Xavier Carrer, co-director of Kozoom International with William Oh: ,,We truly believe this is the best way for 3-cushion to grow by keeping all players , professionals and amators, unified.''
The Board of the UMB at its meeting in Hurghada, decided to reinforce the World Cups that will have a strong increase of prize-money, reaching 106.500 euros per tournament . Between 6 and 7 World Cups will be organized annually. Also the World championships will have strong increases that will reach 118.500 euros of prize-money.
In parallel, the UMB has approved a training program for promising young players from around the World.
The increase of activities has led the UMB to reserve 24 weeks on the UMB Sports calendar to also accommodate entries. The new MASTER tournaments will start from the second half of 2018.
With over 1.5 million dollars prize-money next year, the 3-cushion world circuit is reaching new heights.
Kozoom directors William Oh and Xavier Carrer