All is now set for the re-introduction of the Top 4 Series with the increase of the annual prize fund to N1,200,000.00 (One Million Two Hundred Naira ). The event organized by the Snooker and Pool Players Alliance, a network of Snooker and Players is aimed at promoting Cue sports or Billiards as professional sports in line with international bests practice and rules of the World Pool Association (WPA) and the International HeyBall Association (IHPA).
The N1.2M annual prize fund shall be distributed into N50,000 -1st prize, N25,000 – 2nd prize, N12,500 – 3rd prize and N7,500 – 4th prize per event. Twelve events is scheduled to hold in 2023.
The Top 4 Series which featured English 8 Ball Pool played on a 7ft Table debuted in 2019 but with the signing of the agreement in 2020 between Joy Billiards Sports Promotion, China and FIJI Ventures Limited as the sole promoter of Heyball Pool a.k.a. Chinese Pool in Nigeria, the event has been upgraded to feature Heyball Pool to be played on the Standard 9ft Joy Billiards Pool Table.
The monthly Top 4 Series is an invitational Pool event which features the 4 highest ranked players on the SPPA ranking. Agbezin Charles winner of the October 2019 edition, Ebule Charles and Obrutse Obarho are amongst the prominent participants.
The 2023 Top 4 Series has be modified to feature 5 players with one player enjoying a wild card status which will hold at the NICON Town Recreation Center and hosted by NICON Town Pool. Abiodun Christopher (aka Emiratie) and Abayomi Oluwole, the highest ranked Heyball players are amongst the shortlist to participate in the January 2023 event. Other venues selected to host the Top 4 Series include the Asaba Garden and Resort, Asaba Delta State, Nigeria
Asentv.tv spoke with Idada Joachim, president Snooker Pool Players Alliance
“The Alliance is focused on raising the standard of the game of Pool and Snooker in Nigeria. We want our players to become professionals so that they can go out there to be selected to play amongst the very best and masters in Heyball Pool”
“We are re-introducing the Top 4 Series because the lock-down resulting from the COVID 19 greatly affected our initial plan which is to enable our top players feature in the international qualification event for Chinese Pool Masters that is scheduled to hold in China. We will be working very hard to secure a suitable venue for the 2023 Joy Billiards Chinese Pool Opens”.
“Our selection and co-sponsorship of Abiodun Chistopher to participate in the 2022 Dubai Open Chinese 8 Ball Pool Tournament is a demonstration of our commitment to our Top players. We will like to use this platform to invite interested sponsors to partner with the Alliance to use sports like Pool and snooker to promote and market their companies and brands”.
Amongst the other Pool events scheduled for 2023 include the Challenge Series and the JOY Billiards Chinese Pool Open Tournament.
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