- Mr. Sam Satishkumar - Director & Head Organiser for KSS Sports Event Management.
- Dato Freddy Fernandez - President of Persatuan Karyawan Malaysia
- Mr. Jerry Chong - Owner of Backyard Pub & Grill, Sri Hartamas
- Mr. Michael Tan - Owner of Donnis Sports Academy, Sunway
- Mr. Melvin Chia - President of Malaysian Billiards & Snooker Federation (MSBF), Vice President of Southeast Asia for Asian Confederation of Billiards & Snooker (ACBS), & A Board Member of World Pool Association (WPA)
KUALA LUMPUR (30 APRIL 2024): Close to 210 cueists are set to ignite the green baize as they s\efor a total prize purse of RM55,000 in the highly anticipated 8 Blackball Super Cup Challenge 24, slated to commence on May 16, 2024. .
Representing a diverse spectrum of talent, a total of 26 teams, including an all-women’s team have thrown their cues into the ring for the 2" edition of this thrilling tournament, hailing from associations, clubs and pubs across the Klang Valley, these players are geared up for a showdown that promises to captivate audience for approximately 120 days.
Organized by Kelab Sukan SAM (KSS) Sports and Events Management, the four-month long tournament is designed to serve as a dynamic platform for cueists to showcase and cultivate their skills.
Commenting on the tournament, KSS Sports and Events Management’s Partner/Head of Operations Mr. Sam Sathishkumar, expressed: “Our main aim is to provide ample opportunities and competitive avenues for players to unearth and nurture talents for the country” Addressing misconceptions surrounding cue sports, Sam emphasized, “We seek to dispel any scepticism surrounding snooker, pool and billiards, which are often unfairly stigmatized. By offering substantial prize pool and fostering a supportive environment, we aim to elevate 8 Blackball sports and recognize the immense talent within our community.
With overwhelming support evidence by a significant increase in participants from 160 in 2023 to over 200 this year, the organizers have upped the ante by raising the prize pool from RM38,000 to RM55,000.
Melvin added “BlackBall is a popular billiard sport among casual players as it is fast, simple and exciting, with organising of such a format and attractive prize fund, the tournament has raised its status and will now appeal to wider group of participants who enjoy such challenges. With its increasing popularity, we hope that one day it will be contested in multi-sport events such as SEA Games and The Asian Games.”
Moreover, the tournament serves as a unifying platform, bringing together Malaysian from diverse backgrounds, with participants representing various races and religions.
In the tournament format, the 26 teams will draw in to four (4) groups to engage in a round robin format, featuring home and away matches in the pre round. The top three teams from each group will advance to Division 1, while the remaining teams will compete in Division 2 for prize money totalling RM35,000 and RM20,000 respectively.
The competition will progress through a double elimination and knockout format with quarterfinals, semifinals and Finals held at a neutral venue. In a bid to encourage greater participation, the organizers have introduced additional categories for men’s and women’s singles open, offering prize purses of RM15,000 and RM7,000 respectively.
Sam also extended gratitude to Sponsors — Donnis Sports Sunway, The Lakeview Club Subang Jaya, Backyard Pub & Grill, A Bar Above and Where Else Sunway for their invaluable support in ensuring the successful organization of the tournament.