Arrangements are now finalised for the IBSF (International Billiards and Snooker Federation) World Billiards Championship which is being held at Carlow in the Republic of Ireland during a ten day spell in mid-August.

The competition will consist mainly of leading amateur players from all around the world but may include some lower ranked professionals.

Players from Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Malta, U.K.and the Republic of Ireland will be taking part as well as two surprising entries from Austria, a country not known for playing billiards.

Three local people are involved in this prestigious Championship. Steve Crosland, a member of Guiseley Liberal Club, is playing in the competition and Dave Richardson (Dragon's Club) has been invited to referee.

Richardson has proved himself a very competant official during the past season having refereed important matches throughout the country and fully deserves this invitation. Graham Richardson is also travelling to the Republic and will be involved in marking, recording and collating.

Crosland has had a good season at the three ball game finishing second in the national rankings and winning the English Grand masters. In Ireland there are eight groups each of six players and they play round-robin format to establish the top two from each group. These last sixteen will then compete on a knockout basis to dertermine the winner.

The round- robin matches are of three hours duration with even longer ones in the final stages. The local player is looking forward to the challenge and his abition is to qualify for the knockout stages.

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