Ropate Morrel emerged victorious at the 4th Rankings Snooker Open Tournament, walking away with a prize of $500 after defeating Pritesh Kumar 3-0 in the grand final held on Sunday. This win marked Morrel’s standout performance as he advanced to the finals by besting Yogen Prasad in a closely contested 3-2 triumph. Meanwhile, Kumar earned his finals spot with a narrow 3-2 victory over Farook Ali.
The tournament, which spanned from September 19-21 at Suva’s Merchant Club, was an engaging competition that saw Morrel defeating Jiten Prasad 3-0 in the quarter-finals and Kumar overcoming Sahil Prasad by the same score. Other noteworthy matches in the quarter-finals included Farook Ali’s 3-1 victory over Ravinesh Maharaj and Yogen Prasad’s significant win against the defending champion, Esala Talebula.
Sponsored by 786 Civil Contractors Pte Ltd and organized by the Southern Division Billiards and Snooker Association, the event attracted a diverse range of talent. It highlighted the competitive nature of snooker in the region, with prize money set at $500 for the winner, $300 for the runner-up, $100 for semi-finalists, and $50 for quarter-finalists. The entry fee for interested participants was $30, and participants had to register by September 16, with lunch provided during the competition.
The backdrop of the tournament was a demonstration of the growing snooker community within Fiji. Building on the success of previous tournaments, this event further cemented Fiji’s status as a nurturing ground for snooker talent. This increase in competitive opportunities and community support underscores a positive outlook for the future of snooker in the country, inspiring more local players to hone their skills and strive for excellence in upcoming tournaments.