The Covid-19 pandemic has not stopped blackball enthusiasts from doing their bit for the community.
In a bid to popularise the game and help the community, blackball enthusiasts will gather in the third edition of the Backyard Charity Pool League.
This year’s in-house competition, which starts on Feb 21 and is scheduled to end mid-April, has attracted the participation of 56 Backyard Team players to form eight groups – 7 Deadly Sinners, Cue Wizards, Devil’s Cue, Mayhem, Pirates, Sicarios, The Invicta and Wreckers VII.
The meet will be held at Backyard Pub & Grill in Desa Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur.
“There’s been an increase in the number of players since the first edition in 2019, and this is indeed promising,” said Backyard Team captain, Darren Pereira.
Pereira works closely with Malaysian Snooker and Billiards Federation committee member, Danny Jee. The charity league was mooted by Jee in 2019. Jee is also a continental member of Blackball International.
Pereira added that proceeds from the registration fees from the players, and collection from the staff of the establishment will be donated to a charitable organisation.
“During our first edition, we raised RM1,000 and gave it to the Anbu Illam Welfare Home in Taman Permata, Ulu Kelang. In our second year, we raised RM2,000 and gave the money to a Backyard staff who lost her father in the Philippines,” added Pereira.
“This year, we already have a pot of RM2,800. This is minus the additional funds that we will get from personal contributions from well-wishers. The organiser is in the midst of looking for a suitable organisation or individual who truly deserves the money.”
Pereria said over and above raising funds for charity is the ability to promote blackball.
“We also hope this competition will popularise the sport and help us unearth a talent or two.”
“There will be a League Challenge Trophy and a Cup Challenge Trophy for the winners. The meet will strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures set by the Health Ministry and local council, thus it being a closed event.”
He said blackball is widely played in the Klang Valley, while American pool is commonly played in other states.
The charity meet serves as a prelude to the national qualifiers which will be held soon.
The best six players will then represent the country at the World Championship in Albi, France, in October.
“We hope to send at least one team consisting of six players,” he added.
For those interested to learn the game, Pereira said they could do so by coming over to Backyard.
“We do guide newbies on how to play blackball. This is our way of educating and creating more players. I truly hope to see more people play blackball,” he added.
