Muscat, Feb 23
The Oman Billiards and Snooker Committee is organising the Billiards and Snooker Championships during the month of Ramadhan, with the participation of 75 players of various nationalities. The tournaments are part of the committee’s programmes aimed at promoting the sport and raising the level of technical competition through regular events that provide players with greater opportunities for match practice and experience.
The competitions are being held at 'Active Oman' every Monday and Tuesday throughout the holy month after Taraweeh prayers, starting from February 24 and concluding on March 13. The event is conducted under a structured technical and administrative framework focused on applying approved regulations and ensuring matches proceed according to a set schedule, reflecting positively on the overall quality of competition.
Billiards Championship System
The billiards tournament is played in the 9-ball format under a double-elimination system, which grants each player two chances to remain in contention. Winners advance directly through the main bracket, while defeated players move to the losers’ bracket for another opportunity to compete for top positions. Main bracket matches are played in a best-of-15 frames format.
Snooker Championship System
The snooker competition follows a best-of-5 frames format in the main bracket, while losers’ bracket matches are played as best-of-3 frames, creating a progressive competitive pathway and increasing comeback opportunities for players.
Cash prizes
The committee has allocated cash prizes for the top finishers in both championships to support and motivate players to deliver strong performances. The initiative aims to enhance the technical standard of the tournaments and encourage fair competition, while promoting continuous development through exposure to diverse playing styles and competitive experiences.
In this regard, Hamoud al Harthy, Secretary of the Oman Billiards and Snooker Committee, stated that organising the two championships during Ramadhan aligns with the committee’s plan to further activate the sport and expand participation through regular competitions that provide players with meaningful competitive exposure. He noted that the Ramadhan tournaments aim to bring together practitioners of the sport in the Sultanate within a competitive setting, offering greater opportunities to compete in strong matches and gain experience across different levels.
Al Harthy added that clear technical regulations have been implemented to ensure fairness, alongside the allocation of cash prizes to encourage players to perform at their best. He expressed hope that the competitions would help raise the overall standard of billiards and snooker and strengthen their presence within Oman’s sporting community.
He concluded by emphasising that Ramadhan tournaments represent an important milestone within the committee’s ongoing efforts to build a sustainable competitive environment and provide players of various nationalities with a unified sporting platform that enriches technical experience and supports the sport’s development at the local level.
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