JEDDAH, 23 November 2007 — Saudi snooker twins Ahmed and Nezar Aseeri credited their UK training camp for having reached the quarterfinals for the first time in the Asian level and placing fourth at the 2nd Asian Indoor Games in Macau.
Ahmed and Nezar, both champions in the national level, spoke to Arab News upon their arrival from abroad recently. Though they missed out on the medals, the brothers were satisfied they did their best in Macau.
“It is Saudi’s first time to reach this far since 1994 when the snooker committee was established here. Though the Indian team beat us for them to place third in the last round they clapped for our performance and many said it was like a final and we believe it was too,” said Ahmed.
Due to the fact that snooker and billiards are running under one committee here, finance had been always a problem and it was hard to support the athletes on a long-term basis.
Despite that, the Saudi Olympic Committee was very generous and considerate, they added, and sent them along with three others to the World Snooker Academy which is within the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield (EISS), UK. The three others were Ahmed Sarhan, Omar Ajlani and Thamer Al-Atiah. At the academy they had been warmly received and even earned the nickname the Arabian Knights on the academy’s website.
“It was not just about learning the history of snooker. it was a training camp where we managed to practice the game, play friendlies with professionals, not to mention getting physical and mental guidance which are all required for any athlete to progress and perform well,” said Nezar. Adding, “after that month we knew we would reach at least the quarterfinals and we did thank God.” From the UK they went straight to Macau to catch the start of the Asian Indoor Games. Predictably, the pressure and jetlag made it hard for them to win the singles event.
In the team event the Saudis beat Korea 3-0 and Iraq 3-1 in the quarterfinals but were defeated by China 3-1 in the semifinals. They then played with India to determine the 3rd and 4th places, and with a difference in one round, the bronze medal went to India. “It was a technical mistake as I missed one ball but even professional make mistakes,” said Nezar.
He said it is never too late to train and benefit from such academy especially that it supervises around 14 other sports and keen young athletes are there. “One month made a difference for us, and I am sure if we managed to go on a regular basis it would help Saudi snooker to make its mark in the international level,” said Nezar.
Ahmed and Nezar also said part of the success was due to the continuous support from Prince Nawaf ibn Mohammed, president of the Saudi delegation in Macau and his deputy Rashid Al-Heraiwel, and Hassan Abu Eish, president of the Saudi Snooker and Billiard Committee, who were all checked on the team daily and congratulated them for their impressive results.
