3-Cushion
TERNEUZEN - The European junior champion, Glenn Hoffman, is not allowed to play the World championships in Guatemala. The UMB (World federation of billiards) has changed the rules of age recently: the World championship is strictly reserved to players having less than 21 years on the 31th of August of the calender year of organization.
Glenn Hoffman has turned 21 on February 8 of this year and is therefore not eligible to participate. That's a big disappointment for the Dutchman, who wanted to try one last time to conquer the world title.
,,It's very strange that the UMB rules have been changed five days before the inscription date. Previously you had to be less than 21 on January 1, in my case I could play one more year. My federation, the KNBB, has tried everything, but couldn't overrule the UMB-people, so I'm definitely not on the list of participants.''
Dutch chairman of the section three cushion, Santos Chocron, is convinced that the measure is unacceptable: ,,If you want to change the rules, you need at least one year to carry it out, not five days before the inscription. We have raisen a protest on behave of our federation. Moreover we can not sell this to the NOC/NSF, Olympic Committee in the Netherlands, that the European champion may not participate in the World championship.''
Glenn Hoffman was one of the favorites for the world title, togeter with Haeng Jik Kim from Korea, two-time and reigning world champion.
The World championship will be played from 10 until 12 October in Tikal Futura Hotel in Guatemala.