Carom
RIVIERA NAYARIT - Roberto Rojas sounds like a broken man. The World Cup in Riviera Nayarit, which he would organize from 23 to 30 May, is cancelled a few days ago. The Mexican billiard player and organizer is standing with his back against the wall and was forced to cancel the tournament.
,,It's very painful and I'm sad that we had to take that decision'', he reacts towards Kozoom. ,,We did a lot of work in the prepration, we spent more than nine months and lose a lot of money. But there was no other decision possible. After the things that happen here, we couldn't guarantee the security of players, officials and spectators.''
Roberto Rojas had the illusion that his country could return into the cycle of World Cups of UMB. ,,But in recent months the situation in this part of Mexico was threatening. During a mega-event, explosives detonated. Then the government has decided to withdraw licenses for organizing major events. The sponsors of our World Cup didn't want the World Cup would be played, neither did the hotel and eventually I gave up myself. I even received telephone threats in recent weeks.''
The prospects looked so good for the Mexican billiards with this new World Cup. Rojas: ,,We had very positive sponsor aspects and with television we had a three-year agreement to broadcast tournaments in the World Cup. It was a very important step for billiards in our country, but unfortunately our plans have been thwarted by other forces. That's very frustrating, not only for us, as organizers, but especially for all people and players who were involved and would come to Mexico. I wish to apologize to all those who suffer by this decision, but also want to ask that people understand, because we could not organize under these dangerous conditions.''