The National Billiard Championship is off to an exhilarating start this year, with Hassan Shaz Mohamed (Aadh), Dheena Ahmed, and Ahmed Nafeel emerging as the victors in the singles events.
Aadh, who faced disappointment in last year’s men’s first division singles final, bounced back after outclassing his opponent Mohamed Sharif (Kuda Shari) with a score of 11-8 in a thrilling final match that unfolded on Monday night. Aadh’s performance was exceptional throughout the championship, as he had also secured victories in the 8-ball and 10-ball championships earlier in the year. His progress to the knockout round of the Maldives Open 10-ball championship in April, alongside international players, showcased his prowess.
Meanwhile, Dheena Ahmed clinched the singles title for the second time. In an intense final match on Monday night, Dheena prevailed over Aminath Haleem (Dhil) with a narrow score of 7-6. Dheena’s victory brought back memories of his previous win as the singles champion during the inaugural national tournament in 2021. Interestingly, Dhil, the runner-up in this year’s final, had also contested in last year’s championship match.
The excitement was palpable in the men’s second division singles event as Ahmed Nafeel emerged victorious by overcoming his opponent Mohammed Sameer with a score of 9-7 in a closely fought final.
As the championship progresses, the spotlight now shifts to the highly anticipated team event, featuring six formidable teams: Club Eagles, last year’s champions DSC, Tent Sports Club, Islanders Hope Sports Club, BG Sports Club, and Foakaidhoo Sports Club. The team events are scheduled to commence on Monday night (28th August)
The tournament, organised by the Maldives Pool Billiard Association (MPBA), is set to run until 2 September. With a vast array of events, including three singles tournaments, women’s doubles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles, and team events, the championship guarantees a captivating spectacle for billiards enthusiasts. The men’s doubles event, boasting eight pairs, will kick off on Thursday night, while the mixed doubles event, featuring 14 pairs, is set to start on Saturday night.
