Top cueists to play in billiards championship in city

India's top cueists, including Pankaj Advani and Sourav Kothari, will be in action when the city hosts the National Billiards and Snooker Championship at the Bengal Rowing Club from January 3-24.
Local lad Kothari, who is also the Asian champion, will look to defend his title in the billiards while national snooker reigning champion Advani will be the hot favourite in his event.
Women's defending champion R Uma Devi (billiards) and Vidya Pillai (snooker) have also confirmed their participation, organisers said today.
Announcing this here, the West Bengal Billiards Association (WBBA) today said the tournament would return to the city after a long gap of 17 years since it was last held at the Calcutta Club.

More than 700 participants in 12 categories (men's, women's, junior and sub-junior) will vie for top honours in billiards and snooker in the 22-day long tournament.