Asian billiard body suspends BSCP, POC takes over athletes

MANILA, Philippines — THE Asian Confederation of Billiard Sport (ACBS) suspended the Billiard Sports Confederation of the Philippines (BSCP) and asked the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to run the affairs of the sport at least for the next three months.In a letter to the POC dated March 9, Michael Al Khoury, secretary-general of the Qatar-based ACBS, said that the organization's board of directors decided during its meeting last February 18 in Doha to suspend the national sports association, a move that was ratified by the continental body's general meeting on the next day.The ASBC informed the POC, through secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan, to form a disciplinary committee "to investigate the violations of the BSCP, including conflicts of interest, the failure to hold elections for a long time, organizing international tournaments without the necessary approvals from either Asian or world governing bodies and not properly taking care of the Philippines Billiard Athletes."The POC promptly officially informed the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) of the BSCP's suspension by its Asian governing body."With this decision, the POC shall temporarily assume the tasks of the BSCP, includingthe supervision of arrangements and entitlements for national athletes under Billiard Sports, during the period of suspension," Chan wrote PSC chairman Richard Bachmann.The ACBS also stated in its letter to the POC the BSCP's suspension for "not exceeding three months pending the completion of the committee's work."The Asian body "assigned the POC with the tasks of the BSCP, especially to follow up on thefiles of players qualified to participate in international tournaments, most notably the WorldGames in Chengdu-China 2025."The World Games are set August 7 to 17."Please inform us of your approval of the terms of your acceptance to assume the duties of the federation temporarily to preserve the interests of billiard players in the Philippines," the ACBS said. TMT