As the September date of the WPA World Ten Ball Championship (WTBC) nears, Raya Sports has been fielding more and more inquiries from players around the world about how they can join what is now certain to be the biggest (in prize money and attendance) pool tournament of 2008. I will therefore devote this column to outlining the qualifying system in detail.

Because Ten Ball is a new WPA pool discipline and this is the first time that the WTBC will be held, there is no ready system to apply in the selection of players. What the WPA has therefore come up with is an allocation and qualifying system wherein spots are “earned” by players through their rankings in their respective regions or through their achievements in competition. This way there will be both geographical representation in the tournament and presence of the top pool players in the world.

Under the WPA system players can qualify via the following routes:

1. Through achievement in world championship events and international competition – The reigning WPA world champions (men and women) in the various pool disciplines immediately before the WTBC will be awarded automatic spots in the championship. Likewise, winners of international tournaments specifically designated by the organizing committee are also guaranteed spots. These include the legs of the all-ten-ball Philippine Pool Tour and the Predator International Ten Ball Championship.

2. Through nomination by the continental federations in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. -- The governing federations have been given full authority by the WPA in establishing the ranking and qualifying system for the WTBC.

3. Through winning spots in WTBC qualifying events that are authorized or organized by the WPA and Raya Sports. -- These include the ten qualifiers to be held the week before the main tournament – on September 23 to 27 at the Star Billiards Center in Metro Manila. In addition, some qualifying events in the Middle East and other regions are being planned.

4. Through wild card awards from the WPA and Raya. -- These are limited to six spots and given only under exceptional circumstances.

The above routes are options. Players are not limited to just one route in entering the WTBC; they are free to explore various options.

The largest number of spots are assigned for disposition and determination by the governing continental federations. These are distributed as follows:

AAPA – Africa 2
APBU – Asia 30
BCA – North America 14
EPBF – Europe 40
OPBA – Oceania 4


In the case of South America, where no continental federation is currently recognized by the WPA, four spots have been assigned and will be awarded to players according to merit by the WPA.

Because of the huge role of the federations in filling allocated spots, players interested in joining the WTBC are enjoined to inquire with their respective continental associations regarding the qualifying process.

It is entirely possible that the federations will utilize their existing rankings of players and tournaments in other disciplines as basis for their selection of players. Many continents are not yet holding Ten-Ball tournaments that can be used as basis for selection.

In the case of international tournaments awarding spots in the WTBC, these are just a handful. The Philippine Tour has finished two tournament legs, and the spots were won Wu Chia-Ching of Chinese Taipei and Antonio Gabica of the Philippines. The Predator Ten-Ball International Championsip was won by Tony Drago of Malta. The WTBC organizing committee has recommended to the WPA that spots be also awarded to the winners of certain prestigious tournaments, finished or coming up, but this is still under study.

This leaves the 10 qualifiers slated the week before the main tournament, and the handful of qualifying events being organized in various regions. As in the other WPA world championship events, these are completely open events. The winner of each qualifier goes through; those who fall short are free to try again. With respect to the qualifiers in Manila, information and registration details can be found in the Raya website: www.rayasports.com.

Because women players will be participating in the championship, the WPA has reserved seven spots for them. These will be awarded outright to certain top-ranking players and recognized champions internationally or in key regions. Additional spots for women, however, must be earned through the qualifying events which will be open to both sexes.

At this point, it’s all systems go for the WPA World Ten Ball Championship in Manila. The dates are set: Sept. 23-27 for the Qualifying Round, Sept. 28 for the Welcome Banquet, and Sept. 29-Oct. 5 for the Main Tournament. The venue is the stately Philippine International Convention Center in the Manila Bay area.

If you’re a player, it’s time to book a place in the WTBC through your continental federation or the qualifiers. If you’re a fan, make your travel plans now. The debut of Ten Ball in world championship competition could turn out to be the most exciting pool tournament ever!