Sports reporter
JAMMU: International cueist, Younus Kuchey of J and K Forests retained the State Snooker title beating Mudhasar Ashiq 4-0 (58-55, 71-47, 57-17, 67-63) in best of seven final on the concluding day of the First J and K State Red Ball and 23rd State Sub-Junior, Junior and Senior Billiards and Snooker Championships held under the banner of J and K Billiards and Snooker Association at Billiards Hall, MA Stadium, here on Sunday.
Younus also bagged the special prize for highest break of 96 in the tournament and bagged runners-up trophy in Six Red Ball event.
Minister of State for Sports, Sunil Sharma was Chief Guest in the valedictory function, who gave away the title trophies to winners and runners-up cueists of various age groups and events.
Speaking to the gathering, Minister expressed his satisfaction over the conduct of the game by the Association in the state. Minister told the selected gathering that he was witnessing the cue game for the first time. He candidly admitted that he has not played any sport in his entire life, but fortunately and unfortunately has been given the responsibility of Sports Department by the Coalition Government.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Suresh Chug was special invitee. While Regional Wildlife Warden, Santhal Kumar and Sports Officer of the State Sports Council, Rajan Sharma and Manager Indoor, Satish Gupta were among other distinguished gathering.
Earlier, Chairman of the Association, Siddharth Sharma welcomed the chief guest and other distinguished gathering and informed about the upcoming activities. He appreciated the organising committee for their successful conduct of the month-long event and assured help in promoting the game.
The organising committee of the tournament included Secretary, Ishuk Choudhary and Chief Referee, Umer Himayun as also Markers, Rakesh Sharma and Pawan Sharma.
President Sanjeev Gupta and General Secretary, Vishal Abrol, Senior Vice President, Jaideep Manocha, Nikhil Kapahi, Sohail Khalid, Ajay Sharma, Saleem Bandey, Lokesh Sharma, Sunil Jain, Sanjay Wahi and Sheetal Gandotra were among others present.
The (Final) Results:
Six Red Ball: Mudasir Ashiq, Ist and Younis Kuchey, 2nd.
Sub-Junior Billiards: Sanand Sharma, Ist and Ansh Chopra, 2nd.
Sub-Junior Snooker: Yasu Gupta, Ist and Ansh Chopra, 2nd.
Junior Billiards: Ansh Chopra, Ist and Basit Wani, 2nd.
Junior Snooker: Vipan Malhi, Ist and Arjun Singh, 2nd.
Senior Billiards: Nikhil Kapahi, Ist and Sohail Khalid, 2nd.
