Billiards and Snooker Federation of India today announced that it will launch an IPL-style franchise-based cue sport league featuring Indian and foreign players between June and August.
Each match in the Cue Slam, featuring eight franchise-based cities which are yet to be identified, will have a billiards, a snooker and three pool games and would finish within one hour's time to suit television's needs, said BSFI president captain P V K Mohan at a media conference here.
"Each team will have 2-3 foreign players, including a lady player," he said.
"This is another dream coming true and will happen. We will see top players in it. We are confident our partners in this venture, Sportzlive, will add value to our sport," said Mohan.
"All our players are looking forward to this and we are working on the scheduling in consultation with the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Federation," said Mohan.
Jason Ferguson, chairman of WPBSA, said his world body and the BSFI would work together to see that the League takes off smoothly.
"WPBSA and IBSF will talk to each other to work it out. We conduct 28 major ranking events. Snooker is growing in India," said Ferguson who is also the director of World Snooker.
Asked whether it will interest viewers in UK, Ferguson said one had to wait and see whether this happens.
India's cue ace Pankaj Advani and snooker professional Kyron Wilson welcomed the announcement of the league.
"I am excited. It's a great opportunity for Indian players," said the national billiards and snooker champion. 23-year-old World No. 60 Wilson said: I am excited. This is exactly what snooker needs. This is going to be exciting."
Sportzlive's chairman Atul Pande did not reveal any monetary figures about the league, saying they were still working on them, while emphasizing that the financial model for the franchises would be "conservative".
"The franchises would break even before the other leagues," he said.
Asked about the players' selection, Pande said, "There would be a draft system and no players' bidding."
"The league will be held between June and August this year. There would be home and away matches like other leagues. We will be announcing a broadcast partner shortly. We already have an interested party in Europe," said Pande.
The top four teams would make it to the semi finals which are to be held in Delhi along with the final as well as the opening ceremony.
According to the promoters, the league could be played in malls and clubs.
