Carom
SHARM EL SHEIKH - The Egyptian player Riad Nady (35) is the billiard player who enters history as the winner of the first African championship in three cushion. The new confederation Africa was founded eighteen months ago and is part of the World billiards federation UMB. The African championship was played in the Sheraton Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.
Riad Nady defeated the tipped favorite Sameh Sidhom in the final 40-21 in thirty innings. The new champion is married, father of one daughter (Jolin), lives in the city ElMinia in southern Egypt and is member of the Club Revoli.
Mohsen Fouda won the Arabic championship at the same location by beating Riad Nady in the final 40-36 in 40 innings. Riad Nady rises 42 places on the world ranking with the 80 points he deserved for the African title: from 68 to 26.
The African championship was played with sixteen players from four countries:
- 10 from Egypt (Sidhom, Fouda, Henry, Nadi, Zaghloul, Elias, El Messeri, Salem, Zayed, Saad).
- 2 from Algeria (Nadim Okbany, Hamidash Hakim).
- 3 from Libya (Elmo Taser, Elsalak and Amish).
- 1 from Soedan (Ahmad Alaa Eldin).
Four Egyptians showed up for the semi-finals of the championship. Sameh Sidhom defeated Regay Henry 40-13 and 1.739 average. Nadi beat El Messeri 40-37 and 0.976 average.
Riad Nady grabbed the championship by winning the final against Sameh Sidhom 40-21 and 1.333 average.
Alhussein Alsharif, the President of the African confederation, concluded: ,,This first African championship was played after 18 months from founding our confederation. And I believe that having four countries for the first edition is a good indication for the future of carom in Africa. Now I'm sure that in the coming events we will surely have a higher number of both countries and players.''
The organization team of the African championship with Doctor Bannani, CEO of the Ministry of Sport, which was special traveled to see the final, Mr. Kammah, president of the Egyptian federation, Mr. Kharadly, president of the Arab federation, Alhussein Alsharif, president of the African confederation and Rageh Hosny of the local organization.