THE battle lines were drawn at the Merchants Club in Suva as the annual East v West Snooker Competition returned with pride, passion and provincial bragging rights on the line.
Hosted by the Southern Division Billiards and Snooker Association (SDBSA) this year, the long-running tournament attracted some of the country’s top cue sports players, with teams travelling from clubs around Fiji to be part of what many describe as the “festival of snooker”.
Association president David Shiu Ratnam said the competition was more than just winning titles.
“This is like our festival,” he said.
“It’s the one time where players from all around Fiji come together and compete.”
About 40 players registered from both sides, although the format had to be slightly reduced because of fewer participants from the North-West division.
Despite that, the intensity remained high as the East looked to dethrone defending champions West, who have claimed the past two titles.
“The West are defending champions, but we’ve got a better team this year and we’re going for the win,” Shiu Ratnam said.
The veteran administrator said the annual tournament had been running for more than 30 years and continued to strengthen friendships and connections within Fiji’s snooker fraternity.
He also acknowledged the support of main sponsor Shop N Save for continuing to back the tournament and local snooker over the years.
“Shop N Save has really supported snooker for many years,” he said.
For Ratnam, the tournament was about unity, camaraderie and keeping the sport alive in Fiji.
