Advani pulls out of Kolkata Open National Snooker C'ship

"Advani has some personal commitments. He is taking part in the pro-am that began today," chairman sports sub-committee of the Hindustan Club, Sandeep Patni, said today.

In a first of its kind event, India's top cueists including nine-time world champion Geet Sethi, Aditya Mehta, Brijesh Damani, former India no 2 Sourav Kothari will vie for top honours in the Rs 5 lakh prize money tournament.

"The event -- first of its kind being played in eastern India -- will give budding players from the city much needed exposure beside being a great experience for the fans of the sport," Alok Garodia, President of the Hindustan Club Ltd said.

"We hope to make it a regular calendar event and we are also working on getting international players," he added.

The tournament will be played in two categories -- main draw with 12 teams in four groups and the Pro-Am with 12 teams in four groups, with each team comprising a professional and an amateur player.

The winner in the main draw will bag Rs 1 lakh.