SHILLONG:
Amar Nath Sharma became the overall champion of the All Shillong Open Snooker Tournament organised by National People’s Youth Front (NPYF) in the city in collaboration with Meghalaya Billiards and Snooker Association.
In an exciting final Sharma defeated Jexial Nongkynrih. According to the organisers, there were 48 participants in the five-day long tournament.
The organizers had earlier stated that only the residents of the state were permitted to participate in the championship to promote the local talents in the game of Billiards and Snooker. Cabinet Minister James K Sangma, East Shillong legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh and other dignitaries handed over the prizes to the winners and the participants. Other who were present on the occasion were, Laitumkhrah-Malki member of District Council, Fantin Lakadong, member of the NPYF, Nicky Nongkhlaw who is the National President, Mayborn Rapthap, President Shillong City, Manroi Kharpuri, vice-president and members of Meghalaya Billiards and Snooker Association. Snooker is a cue sport played on a rectangular table covered with a green cloth called baize, with six pockets, one at each corner and one in the middle of each long side.
It gained its identity in 1875 when army officer Sir Neville Chamberlain, stationed in Ootacamund, Madras, and Jubbulpore, devised a set of rules that combined black pool and pyramids.