IN THE game of billiards even the slightest lapse of concentration can cost a player a victory – one shot is all it takes. And with Myanmar hosting the upcoming Asian Billiards Championship from April 5-12, national coach Dr Min Naing said he wants his players to remain completely focussed.

“Although we’re the host we’ll be competing quality opposition from India, Singapore and Thailand,” he said.

The championships are being held at Yangon’s Kandawgyi Palace Hotel and this is the second time Myanmar has held them – the first being in 2003. There will be 27 participants from Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, India, Qatar, Iran and Sri Lanka.

Myanmar will field Aung Htay, Kyaw Oo, Aung San Oo, Nay Thway Oo and Min Sithu Htun and Dr Min Naing said he has confidence in his players.

“Kyaw Oo and Aung San Oo have lots of international experience and Aung Htay and Nay Thway Oo showed their strength in previous tournaments by defeating some former world champions,” he said.

“And Min Sithu Htun is a talented player, with a promising future ahead and I think he could pull off some surprising results.”

But the pragmatic Dr Min Naing admitted that his players will have to work hard – the competition includes four former champions and one current.

“Geet Sethi from India is an eight-time former world champion, while Pankaj Advani has been a world title holder three times. And Rupesh Shah is the defending world champion; that’s some pretty serious competition,” he said.

Other threats include defending Asian champion, Singaporean Peter Gilchrist, and Praprut Chaithanasakun from Thailand.

“Both of these guys are former world champions and serious challengers but I believe my players can succeed because they have shown how impressive they can be in previous tournaments,” he said.