Indian Cue Masters launched, 25 stars picked during players' draft

Hyderabad: The much anticipated Indian Cue Masters League was launched here by the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India and Sportzlive Entertainment on Tuesday. It will begin on August 19, with some of the finest players in the world rubbing shoulders and matching skills with the country’s biggest stars.

Called Cue Slam — Indian Cue Masters League, it hopes to not only bring entertainment to the fans but to also inspire them to take up the sport in a big way.

As many as 25 players were picked during the players’ draft earlier in the day, with marquee players being picked at $15,000.

Cue Slam will be played on a round robin cum knockout format. Each tie will consist of five matches with three 6 Red snooker and two 9 Ball pool matches per tie. Each franchise will have five players (1 icon, 1 female, 3 men, with a stipulation that a minimum of three Indians will be in the team). The inaugural season is to be played in Ahmedabad from August 19 to 25 and the matches will be broadcast live on Sony ESPN from 6 pm.

It will be a five team affair — Hyderabad Hustlers, Delhi Dons, Chennai Strikers, Bengaluru Buddies and Gujarat Kings.

Pankaj Advani expressed his delight at the launch of the League and declared that it would be a huge hit in the country. “India has many highly talented players but they haven’t had the platform to showcase their skills till now,” he said,
Billiards and Snooker Federation of India president PVK Mohan was understandably excited too. “It is a matter of huge pride for us that we are able to host a league of our own. This will not only raise the profile of the game but also make it financially strong.”

Sportzlive Entertainment have acquired long-term rights for Cue Slam. While BSFI will provide technical support and help in acquiring players, Sportzlive will be responsible for managing and executing the league.

“Cue Sports is widely played by people across age groups in the entire world. Indian players have done very well at the global stage but have not been to garner the kind of fan-following or adulation that they truly deserve,” Atul Pande, Managing Director of Sportzlive said. “The sport itself caters to a niche crowd. But the League will break barriers and become popular amongst the masses. We will realize this potential by running it most efficiently, and also make it one of the most professionally-managed Leagues in the country,” he added.

Gujarat Kings (Padmanabh Sports): Andrew Pagett, Daria Sirotina, Alok Kumar, Sourav Kothari, Brijesh Damani. Coach: Ashok Shandilya.

Chennai Strikers (VPVS Sports Pvt. Ltd.): Pankaj Advani, Vidya Pillai, Dharminder Lilly, Faisal Khan, Pandu Rangaiah E. Coach: G. Kishore Khurana.

Hyderabad Hustlers (Axis Clinicals): Amir Sarkhosh, Amee Kamani, Kamal Chawla, Lucky Vatnani, Anuj Uppal. Coach: Manoj Kothari.

Bengaluru Buddies: Darren Morgan, Anastasia Nechaeva, Sundeep Gulati, Varun Madan, Laxman Rawat. Coach: Derek Sippy

Delhi Dons: Kelly Fisher, Laura Evans, Pushpender Singh, Manan Chandra, Malkeet Singh. Coach: Tanuj Kohli