Billiards and Snooker Association of Fiji (BSAF) president Praneel Singh has been elected as one of the three directors of the new Asia Pacific Snooker and Billiards Federation (APSBF).
Singh, who has been involved in the sport as a player and administrator since 2006, will serve the regional body for two years.
Cue sport in the region was previously governed by the Oceania Billiards and Snooker Federation (OBSF), however during its meeting last year, the members voted to adopt a new constitution and rename OBSF as APSBF.
This was done to increase affiliation in a bid to grow the sport in the region.
With the constitutional changes, the APSBF was admitted as a member of the Olympic Sports Federations of Oceania (OSFO).
Singh said the aim was to develop the sport in the island nations and one of the main priorities was to make billiards and snooker one of the optional sports for the 2027 Pacific Games.
He said they were glad APSBF had waived their fees because of the lack of activity in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Once the lockdown and sporting restrictions are lifted then we will resume with the events on our national calendar,” Singh said.
“Plans are in the pipeline to start a Pacific Series once the international borders open.
“The Pacific Series will further develop cue sport amongst the island nations as there will be international fixtures. The series will be a big boost to lay the foundation for billiards and snooker to be included as an optional sport for the 2027 Pacific Games.”
Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga and Samoa are expected to be part of the Pacific Series.
