Former World Professional runner-up Devendra Joshi and Dhruv Sitwala, along with Asian Games gold medallist Ashok Shandilya, are some icon players who would represent different teams in the Videocon Billiards Premier League's inaugural season scheduled here from August 16-24.
Ten teams, purchased at a cost of Rs 1.25 lakh each for two seasons, would take part in the league to be held in six gymkhanas/clubs in Mumbai, it was announced at a media conference at Bombay Gymkhana here today.
Except for Shivaji Park Gymkhana-owned SPG Billiards Punters, whose icon player would be Shandilya, the other nine teams are owned by former and current players, who feature on the domestic circuit.
The lone outstation player to be seen in action would be Dhvaj Haria, the junior India No.1 from Gujarat who has a home in the city and would play for SK's Kannon Masters while another icon player, UK-based Nalin Patel, has his roots here and would play for Tigers.
The other seven team names are: SP Young Guns, RK's 7, RRockets, Scorpions, MB's Shooters, WJ Genii and Race for Gold, The Team.
The six icon players would be paid Rs 15000 as appearance money by the Billiards and Snooker Association of Maharashtra, organisers of the league, said tournament director Derek Sippy.
The other icon players are Siddharth Parekh (RRockets) and Arun Agrawal (SP Young Guns).
"This cannot be compared to IPL or IBL or any other top league in other sports. It's a trial run for bigger things like Snooker League to come in February next," said Sippy, who will also be playing in the tournament.
