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World Pool Association Pushes for Resolution Between BSCP and BMPAP


World Pool Association Pushes for Resolution Between BSCP and BMPAP

World Pool Association Pushes for Resolution Between BSCP and BMPAP

The World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), the international governing billiards body, finally broke its silence over the disputes within the Philippine billiards community, saying that it is time to settle their differences. In a statement posted on AZBilliards.com, WPA president Ian Anderson expressed concern that the dispute between the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) and the Billiards Managers and Players of the Philippines (BMPAP) could have a "detrimental effect" on two upcoming world championship events in Manila -- the WPA World Ten-Ball Championship (WTBC) in September and the WPA World 9-Ball Championship in November.

Anderson urged both the BSCP and BMPAP to jointly "allow the two events to take place as scheduled" so that all the best players can participate in the tournaments. The BMPAP issued last week a news release that announced a boycott by its players of the WTBC. The news triggered reactions around the world, particularly in the AZBilliards website and the WPA community. Anderson asked both groups to consider the interest of the sport as a whole and the welfare of players "who only want to participate and seek the opportunity of becoming a World Champion at these two prestigious tournaments."

"Talks of boycott and running a rival tournament at the same time as the World Ten Ball Championship are contrary to the best interest of the sport and the international community. Targeting any WPA event with an action designed to sabotage it will be deemed hostile toward the WPA, who would reluctantly be forced to take whatever action it felt necessary," he said.

The WPA president said the BSCP is the member for the Philippines of the Asian Pocket Billiard Union (APBU), which in turn is the continental federation for Asia in the world body. An APBU member is required to have recognition from the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of each country. Like other continental members, the APBU has only one member per country.

"In the Philippines, this recognition was granted for the BSCP. The APBU, same as other continental members, has only one member per country," said Anderson. He pointed out that under the WPA agreements covering the 9-ball and Ten Ball world championships, "the players competing must be in good standing with their own national federations." For Filipino players, this is the BSCP.

The World Ten Ball Championship is being promoted by Raya Sports with the support of the BSCP, Star Billiards, and other partner clubs and organizations all over the country. The world 9-ball event, on the other hand, is being promoted by Matchroom Sport with the sponsorship of Senate President Manuel Villar and BMPAP.

Anderson warned that any possible event cancellation would result in dire consequences for world pool. "The effect for television networks of a cancellation of a planned event due to domestic disputes would risk their future participation in billiards," he said. "This and denying the players the chance to compete for prize money of $800,000 is just too high a price to pay over local disputes."

  • Title: World Pool Association Pushes for Resolution Between BSCP and BMPAP
  • Author: (Billiards Forum)
  • Published: 7/23/2008 10:06:00 PM

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