Amit calls for more opportunities in women’s billiard

By ANNIE ABAD

NEW talents, fresh hope for local women’s billiards.

Rubelin ‘Bingkay’ Amit, the country’s only Pinay World 9-ball champion, is confident that more Pinay players will shine and will be a force to reckon with in the international stage if given enough opportunity and resources.

And to prove this, the multi-titled Southeast Asian Games veteran, claimed that a lot of talents and high-caliber skills where showcase during the past five events of her self-organized Amit Cup billiards series which culminates this coming March 31 in Paranaque.

“Right now, we have an 11-year-old player from Zamboanga who is very good. We also have a young champion from Bacolod (Negros Occidental) who is promising,” said Amit at the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ on Thursday at the PSC Conference Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

“We have a lot of women players who easily beats our men counterpart. Kung mabibigyan lang ng tamang training malayo ang mararating ng mga ito. I try my best to help the new players get recognition. We can produce many champions. Our men’s team is already strong, so we must strengthen our women’s team too. There are more opportunities now. We just keep playing billiards,” said Amit.

“Only me and Chezka (Centeno) in the national team are competing abroad. Right now, we have a big chance. There are many strong young players. Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to produce another world woman champion,” added Amit in the forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission and Behrouz Persian Cuisine.

Also, Amit is helping the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Women’s Sports under Commissioner Bong Coo organizing the PSC 9-Ball Championship which is part of the agency’s program for the ‘Women’s Month’ celebration.

The tournaments which featured 69 amateur players is set on March 25-26 at the 2nd Floor of the Medical Scientific Athletes Services (MSAS) Building at the RMSC.

“We have many talents who can be future champions. The PSC 9-Ball tournament organized by Commissioner Bong Coo is good because it is for grassroots development which is very important for the sports. Nakakagulat nga dahil after we announced it, right away napuno yung listahan ng participants, sumobra pa nga kaya nag-cut off kami,” said Amit.

Amit admitted that billiards has been quiet compared to the time when Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes, Django Bustamante and her success in the women’s stage, but she is hopeful that billiards will regain its popularity with the involvement of private sector and local government units (LGUs).

“Actually, to be honest, there are still many Filipino champions in billiards. It’s so happened, its quiet right now. So, on my part, I try my best to help give recognition to new players. We can produce many champions. Malakas ang ating men’s team, so we need to strengthen the women’s team. There are many more opportunities, so we just keep playing billiards.

Amit also expressed his readiness with Centeno in their participation in the carom event of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia this coming May.

“This is our first time competing in carom because this is the only event in Cambodia. We’re just hoping to catch a glimpse because our approach here is different. We’re just hoping going there to bring honor for the country,” said Amit.