After the Hanoi Open 3-cushion carom tournament 2024, the World Carom Billiards Federation (UMB) has issued a 1-year ban from competition, starting from August 27, for 32 male Vietnamese athletes participating in this tournament. The reason is because the Hanoi Open 2024 belongs to the tournament system of PBA - an organization opposing UMB.
The ban of UMB has been announced by the Vietnam Billiards & Snooker Federation (VBSF) to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of provinces and cities as well as local federations with related athletes.
Among these, there are 5 players who were previously banned by UMB, due to switching to play for PBA, including: Nguyen Quoc Nguyen, Ngo Dinh Nai, Ma Minh Cam, Nguyen Huynh Phuong Linh and Nguyen Duc Anh Chien.
The remaining 27 players include: Huynh Phi Long, Truong Van Duc, To Minh Thien, Truong Thai Duy, Huynh Thanh Hien, Do Duc Hien, Huynh Duc, Huynh Le Truong Hung, Tran Quoc Vinh, Nguyen Cong Thanh, Ngo Van Duc, Cao Ngoc Bao Kha, Nguyen Dinh Nui, Tran Dinh Phuong Vu, Ken Vinh, Nguyen Manh Phat, Tran Tien Phong, Dang Mai Phu, Truong Be Nam, Nguyen Ngoc Tri, Lam Han Thanh, Nguyen Van Phuoc Hieu, Nguyen Van Long, Huynh Tan My, Nguyen Quoc Thang, Nguyen Vu Quang Truong, Tran Van Ngan.
Many of these players have been ranked on the UMB rankings.
Speaking to Lao Dong, Mr. Doan Tuan Anh - General Secretary of the Vietnam Billiards Federation said: "The UMB ban on PBA athletes for 1 year has been in place for 6 years now, so it is not surprising. In general, this is also the decision and choice of the athletes between competing in UMB or playing in PBA tournaments."
Meanwhile, one of the five players previously banned by UMB, Nguyen Huynh Phuong Linh (who has competed in PBA tournaments for many years), is also not concerned about this ban. He said: "The ban has no impact. I have not cared about UMB for a long time."
In general, with UMB regulations, it is not surprising that athletes participating in the Hanoi Open 2024 will be banned from competing for 1 year. Competing in PBA tournaments is also the direction that athletes choose.
The UMB ban also does not affect the 2024 World Carom 3-Cushion Championship, which will be held in Binh Thuan from September 25 to September 29. This tournament will bring together the top 3-Cushion carom players from Vietnam and the world such as Tran Quyet Chien, Bao Phuong Vinh and Tran Duc Minh.
