Ketan Chawla Secures Opening Win at Asian Snooker Championships

Confident start for Chawla in Group B opener

India’s Ketan Chawla registered a strong start to his campaign at the Asian Snooker Championships with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Mohanna Alobaidli in his first Group B match. The tournament, which features top cueists from across the continent, saw Chawla maintain composure throughout an intense contest to claim the crucial opening win.

Chawla displayed consistency and skill during the match held in Doha, Qatar. He gained early momentum and capitalised on key scoring opportunities, eventually sealing the tie against the Qatari player. The win places Chawla in a favourable position in his group as he looks to progress to the knockout stages of the competition.

Mixed day for Indian players at continental event

While Chawla started on a positive note, another Indian contender, Amir Rawat, faced a stern challenge in his opening Group E fixture. Rawat went down 3-4 in a closely contested battle against Habib Sabah, with the match going down to the deciding frame. Displaying resilience, Rawat rallied back from behind but narrowly missed out on converting the momentum into a win.

Rawat’s performance, however, showed promise as he kept pace with his experienced opponent throughout the match. Despite the loss, he remains in contention to advance from the group, with several more fixtures yet to be played in the ongoing group stage.

Tournament features strong regional participation

The 2024 edition of the Asian Snooker Championships has drawn top players from several Asian nations, including India, Pakistan, Thailand, Iran, and China.

Organised under the aegis of the Asian Confederation of Billiard Sports (ACBS), the championship serves as a key event in the amateur snooker calendar, offering players a platform to compete at the highest level in the continent.

The group-stage format allows every player multiple opportunities to secure wins and qualify for the knockout rounds. Indian players, traditionally strong contenders in the tournament, are aiming to deliver a strong performance and add to the country’s history in continental cue sports.

Upcoming fixtures for Indian cueists

With group matches continuing over the next few days, Indian players are scheduled to face a range of opponents in their respective pools. Chawla will look to build on his early victory and maintain consistency through the group stage. Rawat, on the other hand, will be aiming to bounce back in his next match to remain in contention for a spot in the elimination rounds.

The championship will proceed with more matches over the week, leading up to the knockouts. Performance in the group stages will be critical for players hoping to secure qualification for the main draw and eventually contest for the title. Indian cue sports enthusiasts will be closely tracking the progress of national players as they compete against Asia’s best in the prestigious championship.