Chairman of the organising committee Sunil Mathews said that reigning world billiards champion Uma Devi of Karnataka, her statemate Chitra Magimairaj and the current national champion Vidya Pillai will be among those spearheading the Indian challenge.
The winner will take home a purse of Rs 25,000, the runner up Rs 15,000, the semi-finalists Rs 10,000 and the quarter-finalists Rs 5,000.
Besides, the player who runs up a break of 70 or above would be rewarded with Rs 2,500 for the highest break, he said.
The tournament will be conducted on league-cum-knock-out basis with three players placed in four groups in the league phase. The top two from each group will enter the quarterfinals when the knock out stage begins, he said.
International referee R B Ganesh, who will be the chief referee, said the event was being conducted in a bid to give a fillip to ladies snooker as well as other cue sports.
"The tournament is a first of its kind in the country offering the highest prize money," he claimed.
The Artisticks Trophy has been made by well known sculptor S K Srinivasan.