VIERSEN - The German billiard union (DBU), as organizer, has canceled the planned World Championship three cushion for national teams in Viersen, which should be held from 5 to 8 March. The cancellation was announced due to the coronavirus crisis.
German chairman Helmut Biermann announced the news at a press conference this morning. "To protect the well-being of players and visitors," said the DBU chairman . "The decision was taken in close coordination with the city of Viersen and the UMB world billiard federation. The decision was inevitable. Despite the huge financial shortage, this difficult and painful decision had to be made," Biermann said.
,,We are very disappointed of course that we have to cancel this great event. Because of the current development, we had no other choice to protect everyone involved in the world championship" the mayor of the city of Viersen, Sabine Anemüller, said.
Helmut Biermann: ''It was a hard decision for all of us, but we couldn't take any risk. There are some infections already in Mönchengladbach and 50 km's around and we don't know how fast it's gonna spread. The cancellation is a disaster. We are looking for an opportunity to organize this championship later in 2020, we''ll do what we can. For now, we need a lot of work, to inform all the nations, to cancell hotel rooms and we have a big financial problem.''
UMB President Faruk Barki, who was connected by phone from Egypt, said in a response: "As a sports federation, we must guarantee the safety of our athletes and fans and exclude any risk. Even if the cancellation is painful for all people involved, it is the right decision."
The world championship would be played by 16 national teams, including Germany, Korea, Japan, Greece, Turkey, Colombia, Peru, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain.