Abu Dhabi: A silver medal at last month’s Asian Championships has provided top UAE cueist Mohammad Shehab and his principal teammate Mohammad Al Joker with the right boost going into the Asian 6-Red and Teams Snooker Championship, which starts at the Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan on Wednesday.
Shehab, who was beaten 6-2 by Thailand’s Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn in the Qatar showpiece, insists that his best is yet to come and that the abridged 6-Red Championship will provide the ideal platform for him to realise his full potential on the green baize.
“I’ve always felt that my best is yet to come and I believe that, if I can stay fit, we [UAE] should give a good account of ourselves given the fact that the tournament is being held in our own backyard in Abu Dhabi,” Shehab said.
“Asian snooker is seriously competitive and of a high standard and we expect to face some fierce competition, but we are well prepared and with a little luck, should do well.”
The UAE are among 14 teams led by snooker powerhouses Thailand, Hong Kong, India and Pakistan, who will compete in the individual and team event which culminates on May 26. Other countries taking part include Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran and Sri Lanka.
The tournament, which is played on a regular snooker table used by the traditional 15-red game, is being hosted by the UAE Billiards and Snooker Association and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for the first time in its history.
Six-red snooker was created to feature shorter frames and can be compared to 20/20 cricket and rapid chess.
Mustafa Shehab Al Hashemi, the tournament director and Mohammad’s father, also talked up the UAE’s chances at a pre-event press conference.
“As the host nation, we want to see some exciting matches and let the best team win,” he said.
“And as an Emirati, obviously my wish is that the UAE will be successful at both the singles and team championships in this format.
“We have been the number one team in the Arab world for several years and Mohammad was runner-up in the Asian Championship last month,” he added.
“We also want to be number one in Asia,”
“I think our players have the form and ability to do well.”
Talal Al Hashemi, representing the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, added: “It is one of most important tournaments for us. We will continue to support the tournament and I hope to see Mohammad Shehab on the podium here.
“Having champions like Shehab, Al Joker, and others, the Emirates will continue to keep its top ranking in the region and we hope to see one of them playing in the world championships in the future,” Al Hashemi added.
