Carom
BOGOTA - The American billards federation, including Colombia, Mexico, USA, Peru, Ecuador and other South American countries, has announced a severe penalty again. Colombia has been suspended with immediate effect due to late payments. The Colombian federation is not allowed from now to organize international tournaments and all Colombian players are excluded from international tournaments.
The board of the American federation (FPB) has published the suspension and first informed the Colombian federation (FECOLBI) and later the world federation UMB. The world federation of carom billiards takes over the suspension. Not only carom billiards, also the pool sector is affected by the suspension.
The Colombian federation is owing an amount of 32.000 US dollars to the CPB for the Pan American championships, which were held in July this year and the guarantee for the World Cup in Medellin, whose organization has withdrawn.
The suspension of all Colombian players comes into force from the World championship in Seoul this month and the World Cup in Hurghada early December. That means Henri Diaz and Huberney Catano, the numbers one and two at the Pan American championship, may still participate at the World championships in Korea. Jose Juan Garcia, former junior world champion, and Robinson Morales are on the list of players for Hurghada.
The ban of the Colombian Federation (with its president Felipe Jiménez) is following years of conflict (and suspension) of the Mexican federation, for which reason also Mexican players are excluded from competitions.
Colombia is one of the biggest connected billiards federations in the world and is also known by the organization of tournaments, including this year's Pan American championships and the Festival de Verano.
Known players are Alexander Salazar (semi-finalist at the last World championships in Antwerp), Huberney Catano, Henry Diaz, Luis Martinez, Robinson Morales, Juan Jose Garcia, Heriberto Aristizabal, Daniel Morales, Arley Galeano and Miguel Romero.
Jean Claude Dupont, president of the World's federation, regrets the conflict and the suspension greatly. ,,The suspension is a logical consequence of the outstanding debt of Colombia. And as the rules state, the UMB now takes over the suspension.''
Jean Claude Dupont: ,,The direct consequences of this ban are:
1 The Colombian federation can no longer be authorized to organize international billiard events.
2 The Colombian players will not be allowed to participate in the UMB competitions.
3 No foreign player may participate in any organization, organized by FECOLBi, at the risk of a penalty.
,,I assume that the suspension will be lifted when the debt has been paid or at the moment the CPB considers that no further sanction is necessary.''
The Pan American champion Henri Diaz, who will play the World championship in Seoul.
The measure was taken after the registration for the World championship in Seoul and the World Cup of Hurghada was opened. The Colombian players may play in those tournaments, provided that the registration fees are paid.
Jean Claude Dupont: ,,I deeply regret the way things are now in Colombia and am aware that this suspension is not welcome at a time we all together try to stimulate the carom world. But I also have all confidence and respect in the decision of the American confederation.''