NSCI Baulkline 4.0: All India Snooker Tournament Offers Total Prize-money To 32 lakhs

The Baulkline 4.0 Snooker Tournament, organised by NSCI will feature the crème de la crème of the Indian snooker world with 32 players set to vie for honours from April 28-May 11.

Among the star names, defending champion Pankaj Advani, India’s two professionals Ishpreet Singh Chadha and Kreishh Gurbaxani, lone foreign entrant Martin Goodall, Brijesh Damani and Rayaan Razmi will match wits in what promises to be a star-studded affair. All the big names in Maharashtra will be on view in the tourney, which will also include junior and sub-junior tournaments.

The organising committee has raised the ante upping the prize money by more than 50% from last year. The total prize money fund is Rs 32 lakhs, with champion richer by Rs 5 lakhs, runner-up will pocket a cheque of Rs 2.5 lakhs.

What is exceptionally heartening is the new slew of features introduced by the organising committee with an emphasis on players who will be participating.

First, the qualifying rounds were held across the length and breadth of the vast Indian country, in 28 zones with two qualifying from each zone. Right from the start, the two qualifiers from each zone will be richer by Rs 10,000 and Rs 9,000, and all the outstation players can avail of the free stay at the venue. Not just this, each significant break of 50 and above will be rewarded with cash prizes. Even winning a single frame and finishing on the losing end will fetch the players Rs 400 each.

The qualifying rounds will identify 16 players who will join the other 12 in the main draw in the day-long tournament, which will culminate with the final on May 11.

So, get set for an exciting time as snooker returns with a bang to the NSCI club in Worli.