3-Cushion
CAIRO - The cosy office behind the hotel bar, where Farouk Barki is leading the team, from where Omar Samy directs the matches and the players, Nabil (Bilo) Salama instructs and controls the referees, where there's always a moment of relax after a hard day's work, will be the crisis centre of the Hurghada World Cup again in two weeks.
The billiard room is downstairs in one of the chic rooms in the holiday palace Sunrise Garden Beach Resort, outside the sun is always shining, the Red Sea is a two minute walk from the hotel, the beautiful swimming pools invite you to take a dip and the waiters are always ready to serve you some food and drinks.
In short: the Sunrise Garden Beach Resort is a paradise for vacationers and for the billiard players, who did queue up for a place in the Hurghada World Cup (2 until 8 December) like every year.
Nabil Salama (56) explains in an interview with Kozoom what the attractiveness is of this World Cup, how billiards is doing in Egypt these years, why and how long carom billiards is played in his country and how he was involved (as a dentist in Caïro) with this sport.
Frits Bakker: You are a member of the organization team, how did you get involved in the World Cup in Hurghada? And in which position?
Nabil Salama: ,,I started when it was the Euro Cup in Hurgahda 2002. And two years later we organized a World Cup tournament. I've been a CEB referee since the start of the tournament. In 2006 I became a UMB (world) referee and have been head of referees in the Hurghada World Cup since then.''
FB: For how many years are you playing billiards yourself and where did you play? With friends, or in a club in Caïro?
NS: ,,I've been playing billiards since 1972 and started as a referee in local tournaments around 1980. I started playing with friends in the first and most famous club in Caïro, the Rivoli.''
FB: What level have achieved in your best years?
NS: ,,My best ranking in Egypt was between fourth and eighth place in 2001.''
FB: What can you tell us about billiards in Egypt: the level, the number of players, the concentration of clubs (the cities), the popularity of carom billiards and pool?
NS: ,,There are about 500 players throughout Egypt, spread over 25 clubs, mostly in Caïro and Alexandria. We have some very good players at the moment of whom Sameh Sidhom is the number 1 with his 19th ranking in the world, followed by Riad Nadi, Ihab El Messery and Khaled Erfan, who is a CEB referee as well in Hurghada. All types of billiards are popular here in Egypt, but I think we can thank the Hurghada World Cup for promoting carom in Egypt.''
FB: Where does the carom culture in Egypt come from, because in other African countries they don't play this discipline of billiards.
NS: ,,Carom became popular in Egypt during the 1940's when Edmond Soussa became the world champion. Following the 1952 revolution Moustafa Diab became the 'Godfather' of billiards in Egypt and established Rivoli Club for snooker and carom players.''
FB: What does it mean to you, the week of the World Cup in Hurghada? You are very busy man in your dentist practice in Caïro. Can we say it is a week of relaxation, meeting friends, a nice week as a referee. Whether it's a week of stress, because Hurghada is one of the best organizations in the world and wants to maintain that reputation?
NS: ,,First and foremost it is a magnificent event for our country. My part in it, I take it very seriously, both directing the referees and being a referee myself. For me, personally, it is a wonderful week as well, which I enjoy, because players like to come here, because I meet friends, family, and certainly the Kozoom team! It is stressful, sometimes, but most of all it is a great week for me and for billiard sport.''
FB: As to the appeal of this World Cup: the organization should be proud that so many players like to come here. The field has been fully booked in ten minutes, like every year.
NS: ,,This can be attributed to the success of our wonderful organization team over the years. Of course, the players also enjoy the opportunity to visit Hurghada with its lovely beaches and beautiful weather.''
FB: What can you say about the team: is it the same line-up this year? Farouk Barki as the leader of the organization, you responsible for the referees, Omar Samy as the tournament director. And the other names?
NS: ,,The team this year is basically the same, there are some additions: Mr Hussein Alsharif, member of the EFBS, Mr. Adib Soliman, who works at the Swiss embassy. But of course Farouk will be in the tournament office as the UMB technical director. And as every year Omar Samy is the tournament director. Susan Milbank, Rageh Hosny and Mohamed Soliman will be in the office. I am a member of the organizing team and once again will be in charge with the referees.''
FB: What can players and others expect furthermore this year: same billiard room, same rooms, beautiful accommodation, same atmosphere?
NS: ,,I'm sure, the weather is as always in Egypt: a little cool at night, but sunny and warm during the day. The setting is perfect, everyone who comes to this World Cup, can look forward to a marvellous week.''