3-Cushion
GURI - The Kimchi tournament, which should have been played from Monday 14 to Wednesday, September 16th this week, would be played, is cancelled because of a threat of the Korean federation to the players who were invited. They are risking a suspension for three years. Most famous player of Kimchi, Frédéric Caudron, reacted with disgust. ,,It does not make sense to create problems to those who give a chance to the players to make some money and improve their incomes with such a tournament. With this kind of decision, the players are always the losers'', the Belgian said.
The best-known players who were invited for the tournament in Seoul were Frédéric Caudron, Eddy Merckx, Hyung Hum Hwang, Eddy Leppens, Jae Guen Kim, Therese Klompenhouwer and Birol Uymaz. The winner could earn 5500 euros, like in the World Cup, the runner-up 3500. The total prize money was 26 750 euros.
Kimchi Billiards published an official statement: ,,We regret the sudden cancellation owing to unavoidable circumstances. Kimchi Billiards deeply apologize for any convenience caused to participating Kimchi players and global carom fans.''
The Korean Federation (KBF) threatened in the weeks before the World Cup in Guri with a warning to the players that were invited for the tournament. Frédéric Caudron deeply regrets the decision: ,,We see new TV channels and sponsors in Korea, but what about the situation for the players? Everything is growing around us, except our prize money. Do you think that's normal?''
Caudron: ,,The national and international federations should allow the players to earn some money to have a professional career rather than oppose them. Then it would be much easier.''
A Kimchi spokesman said that the announcements of KBF were not directly pointing the fingers to Kimchi Billiards and the Kimchi players worldwide. But they were clearly emphasizing that KBF will suspend any player who will participate in any event which are not approved. The suspension can go maximum three years.
,,Kimchi intended to make good financial opportunity to the players, not to cause any troubles to the innocent participating players.'' There were plans to organize the tournament once in a year in the week after the Guri World Cup.
The Kimchi players decided to stay a few more days in Seoul to practice together in the Kimchi billiards center. Picture: Eddy Leppens, Jae Guen Kim, Birol Uymaz, Frédéric Caudron, Marco Zanetti, Therese Klompenhouwer, Eddy Merckx.