When the 2009 World Ten Ball Championship opens at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, it will be a first for both the event and the exhibition center. The world championship will use the prestigious venue for the first time after earlier stops at the Philippine International Convention Center and the Araneta Coliseum.
WorldTradeCenter Metro Manila (WTCMM) has been the Philippines’ best international trade and exhibition hall for events for nearly two decades. Located along Roxas Boulevard in the ManilaBay area and in the heart of the city’s business and leisure district, it is easily accessible to events managers, exhibitors, visitors and guests because of its proximity to major thoroughfares, the NinoyAquinoAirport, the country’smajor seaports, the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), major first-class hotels, and top cultural and conference facilities.
The center started operations in January 1990, linking the Philippines for the first time to a global network that provides businessmen with services and facilities needed to make the conduct of international trade easier, faster and cheaper.
WTCMM is a member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) in New York City which has around 100 World Trade Centers operating in almost 100 countries.
It is a private corporation owned by the Manila Exposition Complex and managed by the World Trade Center Management, Inc. World Trade Center Metro Manila belongs to the ICCP Group of Companies.
Through the WTCA, each WorldTradeCenter becomes a branch office for all the others. This unique concept of reciprocity is passed along to all the business establishments affiliated with World Trade Centers, making membership in any center an entry to the international business community.
Adaptable and flexible to meet any event planner’s technically demanding requirements, WTCMM is the ideal venue to hold major trade exhibitions, international conventions and conferences, sports and entertainment events, product launches, gala dinners and parties. With its operable, floor-to-ceiling wall partition that is sound-proof, an exhibition can take place simultaneously in adjoining halls.
It has a seasoned and professional staff to assist an events manager in all aspects of event planning and execution, and to provide efficient service and quick response to all venue related needs.
WTCMM is the only Philippine exhibition venue recognized by the Union des Foire des Internationale (UFI). That is why its reputation as the country’s most prestigious international venue gives each event held therein a sense of distinction it cannot get from any other venue in the country.
FOR the second consecutive year, the World Ten Ball Championship will be held in Manila, with the World Trade Center in the Philippine capital serving as venue when the event unfolds on November 25-30. This was jointly announced Monday (August 3) by the World Pool-Billiard Association and Raya Sports.
The only world men’s championship this year, the WTBC offers a total prize fund of $250,000 (champion’s prize, $75,000) and some 300 players from over 50 countries are expected to participate in the main tournament and qualifying tournament.
The World Trade Center, home to major international events and exhibitions in the Philippines, will be hosting a world pool championship for the first time. Like the 2008 venue, the Philippine International Convention Center, the WTC is located in the Manila Bay area, with many hotels, restaurants and malls close by.
The qualifying tournament, which comprises 10 events, will be held on Nov. 19-23 at the Star Billiards Center in Quezon City, which has hosted three world-championship qualifiers three years in a row.
The WTBC is organized and promoted by Raya Sports, franchise holder of the event and promoter of the last two world 9-ball championship in 2006 and 2007.
“Although the prize fund is smaller on account of the global recession, we expect this year’s championship to be bigger and more competitive in every other way,” said JP Fenix, Raya executive director. “Ten Ball has taken off all over the world, and top players from every region will be eager to contest the top prize and trophy.”
The prestigious event will again be televised worldwide, with ESPN Star Sports broadcasting it live to some 33 countries, and ABS-CBN’s Studio 23 handling the free TV Philippine broadcast.
The main tournament consists of 128 players, who earn their spots through rankings or selection by the WPA and continental federations, or through the various qualifiers conducted by Raya. Assured of spots are the top 10 players in the WPA world-ranking system and the reigning world champions in all disciplines.
The competition format divides the 128 participants into 16 groups. Each group goes through a double elimination competition to determine four players who will qualify for the Round of 64. From there, the competition becomes a knockout affair in which players will compete in race-to-9 matches up to the final. The final will be a race-to-11 match.
Darren Appleton of Great Britain won the first World Ten Ball Championship by beating Wu Chia Ching at the PICC in October last year. He will defend his championship in Manila this November.
For further information on the WTBC visit the Raya website: www.rayasports.com.
