Posted by: Editor on Oct 01, 2006 – 05:59 PM
newsandinfo Some of the world’s best pool players will be here in Grand Bahama to take part in the 13th annual International Shoot-out.
Players from the United States, Canada, Europe and even the Caribbean will converge on the Westin at Our Lucaya to compete for the coveted prize as well as for bragging rights across the pool table.
Players began arriving yesterday for the tournament, which gets under way today with the minis and the singles competition set to begin on Friday morning.
Team competition is set for Saturday morning, concluding on Sunday afternoon.
There are expected to be some 32 pool tables set up in the Convention Centre of Our Lucaya, and according to Barry Smith, League Coordinator for the VNEA Charter here in Grand Bahama, this year’s tournament will not be as big as last year’s.
“That is due to the fact that a lot of people were watching and waiting to see what the hurricane season would be like,” said Smith.
“But this is a pretty big tournament. The VNEA holds two international tournaments in the world, one is in Las Vegas, and the other one is here in The Bahamas, so serious pool players take these tournaments serious.”
Locally, six teams from Grand Bahama are expected to compete in this weekend tournament. There will be one or two teams out of Abaco, and three or more teams out of Nassau are all expected to come to Grand Bahama for this tournament.
“Right now, a lot of people have been waiting to see if any storms would pass by, but I’m sure that more teams than we expect will be a part of this tournament,” said Smith.
This year’s tournament once again being held in conjunction with the Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism.
The Ministry was a part of the tournament last year, and with the Sports Tourism Department of the Ministry of Tourism in full swing, this year’s partnership has become even stronger.
“An event such as this will do much to boost the economy of Grand Bahama,” said Robins.
“But we would like to see a lot of our local players get an opportunity to play with the best pool players from around the world.
“So, the Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism is proud to be a part of this tournament because of the scope of a tournament like this.”
President of the Grand Bahama VNEA, Wilbert Poitier will be the assistant coordinator at this year’s tournament.
He noted that the tournament will be held with double elimination rules, for both single and team play.
“We always look forward to a good showing by our local players,” said Poitier.
“Barry has won the single tournament before in this tournament, two teams out of Nassau has won at this tournament, but thus far, no team out of Grand Bahama has placed higher than third place.
“But we hope that Grand Bahama would improve their position this year.”
Poitier said that with hosting such a tournament it is hoped that the public would recognise that pool is not just a barroom game, but one that can be played by people from all walks of life.
Source: The Freeport News