Ladies & Gentlemen, Dear friends.

The moment has come to conclude these world championships.

After 10 days, over 500 matches,

40 referees,

168 players,

representing 40 countries, we have reached the point of the traditional presentation.

But before ‘crowning the champions’, I want to thank different people.

First of all I’d like to thank all the different personalities and VIP which during all the duration of our championship have showed us their support they brought us for this competition, particularly by coming to visit us.

I also thank all the members of the the B&S Federation of India under the leadership of Capt Mohan and his organization Team here in Hyderabad

To organize such an event, develop such a logistic is a real challenge, and for this they deserve your applause.

Those championships couldn’t have been organized without the good will of a few key people that we also have to thank :

-the tournament director, Mr Bala.

-the head referee: Mr Seah from Singapore.

-Adam Wyard the IBSF Webmaster who spend so much time with his computer in the venue and Darius for his live scoring system.

-We can also congratulate the whole team of referees who tirelessly worked with gusto for the great satisfaction of the players.

Last but not least, we want to thank the players who remain the main actors in the world championships.

Each year the world championships bring us new surprises.

These 2009 Championships are for us the proof that Brazil is not only the Soccer and Formula 1 country.

I heard some of you speaking about “ Samba Snooker” but we must admit that this South American style is terribly effective !

Last year a player coming from Iran was creating a great surprise in reaching the semi final and this year a player coming from Brazil is showing to all of us how our Sport is becoming universal.

It is the strength of the IBSF to be able to organize international matches between players from all around the world and I think we all can be proud of what we do.

On behalf of the IBSF congratulations to : Alfie Burden for his victory and to become the 2009 IBSF World Champion 2009.

His name is from now part of the history of the IBSF and will remain forever engraved on the perpetual trophy

I am very happy to inform him that his victory is already opening the door for an invitation to a tournament held in Cardiff in Wales in December 2009.

This tournament called 147 will bring together 16 very famous players including Professional Snooker World Champion John Higgins.

Our stay in India will remain, for all of us, a great moment.

We have all really appreciated the city of Hyderabad and the hospitality of all the Indian around us during two weeks.

Finally I hope to see you in the next IBSF 2010 world championships in Syria for men and women.

Before that we will have the opportunity to meet during the first IBSF 6reds World Championship maybe April, in Dubai.

As each year Thailand is organizing a prestigious tournament in Bangkok including the top professional players and amateurs.

The IBSF is pleased to announce that the 4 semi finalists of the 2009 IBSF world championships in Hyderabad will receive a personal invitation to participate to the Sangsom 6 reds in Bangkok next July.

An fantastic opportunity to play the top 16 professional players !

In the meantime, I wish you all the best and a safe and good trip back to your country.

Pascal Guillaume

Hyderabad

Nov 25th 2009