2nd Billiards Premier League 2015

SPORTS


State’s leading cueists to feature in BSAM Billiards Premier League 2015
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by Shrutee K/DNS


MUMBAI, AUGUST 5, 2015: Maharashtra’s topmost billiards players will be seen in action during the BSAM (Billiards & Snooker Association of Maharashtra) organized 2nd Billiards Premier League 2015, to be held in the city at various venues from August 19 to 27, 2015. The BPL 2015 is ‘Powered by Videocon’ and hosted by Bombay Gymkhana, while NSCI, Garware Club, P J Hindu Gymkhana and CCI are the Venue Partners and the Hospitality Partner is 'UNICCA'.

Eight teams comprising leading billiards professionals will be fighting for the top honors in the Billiards Premier League, which offers a prize-money pool of approximately Rs 10 lakh. Each team will consist of 6 players, which include A-Category players with a handicap of over -190.


Speaking at a Press Conference on Wednesday, BSAM Vice-President, Derek Sippy, announced that this year they have improved the structure and increased the prize-money to make the BPL much bigger. “Last year the cash prize award for the winner was Rs 1.20 lakhs, but this year we have upped the prize money and the winning team will now stand to get Rs 3.20 lakhs, which is almost three times higher than last year. This will ensure that the tournament become more competitive,” Sippy further said.

The following are the teams and their respective owners, Rajdhani Ke Aryans (Rishabh Kumar, Gaurav Goenka, Nakul Arya), SPG Billiardiers (Shivaji Park Gymkhana), Ottoman (Sanjiv Bijlani), Adamo Potters (Atit Agarwal, Rahul Kothari, Kunal Shah & Chirag Parekh), Siddhanth Strikers (Babu Bhai & Siddhanth Rakshe), Mumbai Stars (Sanjay Naik), R Rockets (Raajeev Sharma), Race for Gold (Gurjit Dhingra & Yashmann Pathak).

Sippy also highlighted the point about Shivaji Park Gymkhana being the only club owning a team. “Shivaji Park Gymkhana is the only club/gymkhana which has a team, SPG Billiardiers. More other clubs and gymkhanas should come forward to have their own teams,” stated Sippy.


Among the iconic players participating, include recently crowned Asian Billiards Champion Dhruv Sitvala (handicap -240) who has been roped in by Ottomans, while Siddharth Parikh, also with the same handicap, will represent Adamo Potters. Billiards pro Nalin Patel (-210) and former Asian Games gold medalist Ashok Shandilya (-190) are with Rajdhani Ki Aryans and Mumbai Stars respectively. Former world pro billiards runner-up Devendra Joshi is clubbed with SPG Billiardiers; Arun Agrawal with Siddhanth Strikers; Jaiveer Dhingra with Race For Gold and Dhvaj Haria with R Rockets, all having a handicap of -190.

Except for Dhvaj Haria from Ahmedabad, all the other top grade players are from Maharashtra. “Haria is a young talented player who has been doing well in the country. He has also been participating in all the tournament in Mumbai so the committee considered accommodate him as one of the iconic player,” mentioned Sippy.

The Tournament Committee comprises of Devendra Joshi, Ashok Shandilya, Derek Sippy, Manav Panchal and Ronnie Daruwalla.
Each team will consist of a minimum & a maximum of 6 players. A player can play more than 2 frames per match, but he cannot play consecutive frames in a match. Every player in the team has to play 4 frames in the league stage or he shall not be allowed to play in the ties & playoffs. A penalty of 2 points per such player shall be deducted from the total points.
Every player has been given a handicap based on the BSAM Billiard League & the BGPL (as reference). The handicaps will not be revised during the course of the league. Handicaps may however be revised before the playoffs.
The first round of matches will be played at the NSCI billiards hall on Wednesday, August 19 from 6.00pm onwards. The four matches on the opening day will be, Siddhant Strikers vs Adamo Potters, Mumbai Stars vs Race For Gold, RRockets vs Rajdhani Ke Aryans and SPG Billiardiers vs Ottomans.
Format: League Stage (All Frames are 100 Up best of 5)
Order of Frames: 
Game 1: 100 Up (Singles).
Game 2: 100 Up (Singles).
Game 3: Double Trouble (Regular Doubles – any combination is allowed).
Game 4: 100 Up (Singles).
Game 5: 100 Up (Singles).

Prize-money break up:
Winners: Rs 3,20,000.
Runners-up: Rs 2,70,000.
Third place: Rs 2,20,000.
Fourth place: Rs 1,70,000.

Event Sponsor: Videocon
Event Host: Bombay Gymkhana
Other Venue Partners: NSCI, Garware Club, P.J.Hindu Gymkhana and CCI.
Hospitality Partner: 'UNICCA'.

Event Organisers: BSAM.

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