CAIRO - The president of the world federation of billiard players usually brings his news on the official UMB channel. These days and weeks mainly with the cancellations and adjustments on the calendar, caused by the COVID 19 crisis. Mister Farouk El Barki and his board are directing the huge billiards stronghold with its 53 federations and hundreds of thousands of carom players worldwide. The future is unpredictable in this Corona era without sports events. The borders are closed, the virus ravages the world and nobody knows for how long.
The interview with Mr. Farouk Barki gives players and the outside world a short view into the worries to overcome to continue 2020 and the near future. The three-cushion World Championship for national teams, individual, with Torbjörn Blomdahl defending his title, the Junior and Women's World Championship, the World Cups and Survival Masters: it's only guessing when the balls will roll again.
The other recent update coming from the UMB channel was about the information that Korean federation KBF and PBA (Professional Association in Korea) are considering to work together, only for the local promotion in billiards. The UMB reports, that it must be considered as a step towards a future international agreement between UMB/KBF and PBA/B&N. The announcement: ,,We must reiterate that the UMB situation concerning PBA/B&N has not changed and that suspensions of PBA players will remain valid.'' However, the UMB is willing to find a mutual acceptable solution between parties.
Mr. Farouk El Barki, from Cairo, a sports leader in times of crisis and his view on the crisis that interrupted all of our lives: how worrisome is Corona for players, club owners, organizers, billiards business, sponsors and mainly for the calendar?
Kozoom/Frits Bakker: How do your days look like in times of no tournaments, no travelling and without meeting all kinds of people and friends in billiards?
Mr. Farouk Barki: I miss our sport ‘billiards', all friends, officials and players because of this COVID-19 situation. I spend most of my time, as nearly all of us, at home, thinking how will be the future of our sport when we are back on track. We frequently deliberate on specific issues by email and video conferencing.
Kozoom/FB: What is the most recent news and what about your expectations for the calendar. What is UMB's strategy for now in case of tournament and championships cancellations. The news has been announced step by step so far. Is there any chance that we play the World championship three cushion coming up?
Farouk Barki: Nobody knows, or can be sure when international events will restart. Not only for billiards, for all sports. As you have noticed, UMB is monitoring the COVID-19 situation for events two months in advance. And it is too early to decide already for the September and October events. Besides, we are discussing the situation with our organizers. World Championships however are special and, in case of cancellation, and after consultation with the federations, could eventually be postponed to the 1st. quarter of 2021. And after consultation with the federations. Taking the present situation into consideration, in my opinion, it will be very difficult to reschedule the cancelled World Cups. The organizing federations will individually plan their events according to a national approved protocol. UMB will in due time be informed by the organizers about their protocol.
Kozoom/FB: The strict global rules are now: as long as there is no vaccine, no major events can take place. What does that mean for UMB, like for World Cups and championships. Can you estimate that for the rest of 2020?
Farouk Barki: The UMB must consider the safety measures for our billiards family worldwide, following WHO recommendations and the national government protocol rules for event organizations. I hope very much that we will be back on track for the 4th quarter of 2020.
Mr. Farouk Barki, visiting one of the World Cups in Korea
Kozoom/FB: When permission is given, what will be the plan to catch up and to allow events to be played at a later stage? Surely, the main requirement must be that all borders are open, so that all players are able to participate in all events?
Farouk Barki: As I mentioned, we are monitoring, and once the borders are open and all our players can travel without restrictions, our events will start taking place. We are confident that our organizers and national federations have an individual protocol in accordance with their possibilities.
Kozoom/FB: Did you receive many reactions from federations about the damage that Corona inflicts, for example loss of competitions, loss of members, financial damage?
Farouk Barki: I didn't receive anything from any federation, but I can imagine the sportive and financial damages for the national clubs and the impact for the national federation. We all suffer from this crisis, each with its own possibilities.
Kozoom/FB: And from the players about the progress of the UMB calendars? They should know when to start their preparations. What is the best way for the UMB to inform its members during this time of crisis?
Farouk Barki: All players know very well how much UMB cares and supports them. Without players there are no events. Without events there is no UMB. But our players are part of our community and I am sure that they are also monitoring the situation considering the frequent UMB announcement.
Kozoom/FB: The last question: there was an announcement on social media about cooperation between snooker and carom organisations. Has it anything to do with the UMB?
Farouk Barki: No, nothing, any cooperation of UMB with any billiards division, snooker or pool, will be through WCBS and its members, IBSF and WPA.
Thanks Mr. Barki, take care and stay safe.