Carom
ANTWERP - They had a dialogue about the World Cup in Las Vegas, on Saturday night, in the lounge of the Hilton hotel in Antwerp shortly before the start of the Supercup Gala. Jean Claude Dupont, president of the UMB, the world federation of billiard, was sipping at a glass of Perrier, he had a short and friendly discussion with Jef Philipoom, the former world champion, who still belongs to the top players in the circuit.
The subject was the cancelling of the World Cup in Las Vegas, the doubts that have been for so long, were confirmed on the day before the Supercup. The organizer withdrew the tournament due to a lack of sponsors.
,,He told us that despite the commitments from sponsors, there was no definitive assurance that he would get the money he needed for the tournament. That's why he has decided to cancel it'', Jean Claude Dupont said.
He realized that some of the players have already booked their trip to Las Vegas and it's annoying that the UMB now had to remove the tournament from the calendar. ,,But I don't think that so many players have booked'', expected Dupont. ,,I've received many emails from players about the tournament and I've always told to wait and not to book.''
Jef Philipoom started the discussion: ,,Why don't you ask a guarantee from the organizer, that he must pay an amount to come on the calendar. Then it's almost impossible for him to redraw and you have more security.''
Jean Claude Dupont: ,,I assure you, that if we do, we will not find anymore organizers. And certainly not a new organizer. We negotiate in good faith with people who want to organize and need the support of their federation. We can not ask a deposit in advance.''
Besides, Mr. Dupont, many players now respond: ,,It is America again, there is always something wrong with organizers.''
Jean Claude Dupont: ,,I don't agree, because it didn't happen so often that a World Cup was given back. And by the way, also in Europe it has happened in the past, with a tournament in Denmark that was for one year on the calendar.''
Did you actually know the organizer, did you spoke with him?
Jean Claude Dupont: ,,I know him, he is more known in the world of 5-pins. I've met him once in Italy. We obviously had our doubts, of course, but at one moment came the message from America that the federation gave his permission to organize. The poster of the World Cup in Las Vegas was already made. Yet until last week we didn't know where the tournament would take place. To be honest, what we have feared, has come through.''
The tournament, that would be held from 4 to April 10, today has been removed from the calendar.