PUNE 30 th January, 2020:
Even as the Qualfying section of the Seniors snooker of the Manisha Vascon 2020 National billiards & snooker championship being organized by BSAM under the auspices of the BSFI commenced here at the PYC Hindu Gymkhana, it was move over the celebrity Men of billiards and the promising boys of the 22 balls game.
The proud daughters of Indian Cue Sports took their due place on the centre stage of the 30 days extravaganza of cue sports.
Suddenly there was a hush in the environment. The ambience of the newly converted billiards Hall was witness to the feline grace of young girls from all over the country. Their coyness, the natural beauty of their carriage, their zeal for the articulations of strokes on the ” Green baize” more than made up the peace and tranquility which prevailed as the damsels with their prim and proper attire along with their cue suddenly became the focus of all appreciative eyes.
Cometh Thursday morning and two young promising girls on the Horizon of Cue sports in the country, Defending champion, Anupama Ramchandran of Tamil Nadu and the challenger for the Sub-junior girls billiards title from Karnataka, Keerthana Pandian, the best of friends, off the table were face to face for the top honours.
Anupama taking time to settle down set the tone. Keerthana who looked a little off colour on this day could not get herself into her normal groove.
Anupama chalking up breaks of 23 and 27 established a good lead of 90-43 when 20 minutes remained for the one hour match to finish. A break of 29 and Anupama was almost home. Keerthana suddenly found her rythm for a 31 break but it was too late. The bell shreiked that it was all over and Anupama had retained her Sub – junior National girls title.
In the play off for the third and fourth place Sanvi Shah of Madhya Pradesh beat her Indore based mate of Madhya Pradesh to secure the third position while Kanisha Jhurani settled for the fourth place.
Earlier in the semis, Anupama playing with great gusto was consistency personified running away a 215-75 points winner against Kanisha Jhurani while Keerthana notched up a 186-95 points victory over Sanvi Shah to set up a final clash with Anupama in the Final.
The sub junior snooker also began immediately after the completion of the billiards event with some interesting matches.
Sanvi Shah beat her Madhya Pradesh compatriot, Gauhar Tanveer by 2-0 frames whereas Anitta Biju of Kerala prevailing over Hajra Faruqui of Madhya Pradesh in straight frames by 2-0.
Mohita RT of Tamil Nadu beat Shreya Dubey by 2-0 frames.
Senthra Babu of TamilNadu defeated Priya Chauksy of Madhya Pradesh by 2-0 frames
Anupama Ramchandran beat Saumya Singh of Madhya Pradesh by 2-0 frames
Santa Patel of Gujarat beat Kanisha Jhurani of Madhya Pradesh by 2-0 frames and
Safilo Sara Benny of Tamil Nadu beat Moksha of Karnataka by 2-0 frames.