Vietnam’s top billiard player eligible for World Cup despite international ban

In October, the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS) announced that it had suspended the Vietnam Billiards and Snooker Federation (VBSF) for one year, effective from Oct. 16, 2024.

This suspension means that the VBSF will not be permitted to organize any international billiards events related to carom, snooker, and pool nor will its officials be allowed to participate in international events, including major tournaments like the SEA Games and the Asian Games.

The Three-Cushion World Cup in Ho Chi Minh City, typically held each May, was believed to be affected by this ban. The event has been organized in partnership between the World Union of Billiards (UMB) and VBSF in recent years.

The ban of VBSF has raised concerns among local fans that they would not be able to watch the top international players in the HCMC tournament this year.

However, it was confirmed that the Ho Chi Minh City Billiards & Snooker Federation (HBSF) has signed a three-year agreement with UMB to continue hosting the Three-Cushion World Cup in the city from 2025 to 2027. The 2025 edition is expected to take place from May 19 to 25 as usual, Thanh Nien Newspaper reported.

HBSF is not among units subjected to WCBS’s suspension, Dan Tri reported, adding that its deal ensures Vietnamese players like Chien still have the chance to compete in the tournament with the support of home fans.

Prior to the participation of VBSF, the Three-Cushion World Cup was already organized jointly by HBSF and UMB.

Home ground HCMC is considered a lucky place for Vietnamese players. Nguyen Du Gymnasium witnessed Vietnam’s first-ever Three-Cushion World Cup win in 2018, when Chien defeated Ngo Dinh Nai in the all-Vietnam final. This was also a major turning point for Chien as it turned his career to a new page.