The Gozo Snooker Cup, organized at the Leone Band Club (Victoria), by the Gozo Billiards & Snooker Association will draw to a close this Friday, the 22nd of January, when Jason Vassallo defends the title, this time against up-and-coming Shaun Sultana.

Both names were confirmed over the weekend as they bravely fought their way through the semifinals. Vassallo won against Peter Pace while Sultana won against Simon Vella, both of semifinalists being household names in the snooker field, and both being valid contenders with quite a track record.

This year’s should be the first cup final in the premiere division for Shaun Sultana. So far he has been impressive in all his games. Last March he represented Malta in St Petersburg (Russia) in the U/19 section. Vassallo has won the cup every year since 2005.

The match, played over the best of 11 frames shall be played at the Leone Band Club (Aurora Theatre), starting at 4.30pm. An even greater turnout of fans, supporters and snooker lovers is expected this year. The general public is invited to attend.

The match will be followed by the trophy-presentation ceremony. It shall be presided by the Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, and hosted by Dr Michael Caruana LL.D., President of the host Leone Philharmonic Society. A reception will follow.

A total of 70 players, organized in 4 divisions have been competing since November 2009. Snooker competitions will proceed with a number of other competitions running on until the opening of the football World Cup in June.

Further information can be obtained from www.gozosnooker.com and/or www.leone.org.mt.