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Billird Congress of America \ Contact: Robin DahlenBCA Associate Managing Director, robin@bca-pool.com 404.760.4248 bca-pool.com 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BCA Partners with USPPA to Host World Juniors and Wheelchair Championships Broomfield, Colo. – July 21, 2008 – The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and theUnited States Pool Players Association (USPPA) today announced plans for the USPPAto host the 2008 World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) Junior World 9-Ball Championships and 2008 WPA World 9-Ball Championship for Wheelchair Players in Reno, Nevada, November 30-December 3, 2008. These events will take place at the Sands Regency Hotel in conjunction with the USPPA Pro Am and Reno Open, scheduled December 4-13, 2008. In addition, the USPPA will present a qualifier for the Junior World Championships at the California Billiard Club in Mountain View, California, on Friday, November 28, 2008. "The United States Pool Players Association would like to thank the Billiard Congress of America and the World Pool-Billiard Association for the opportunity to host these events," said Tony Annigoni, managing partner of the United States Pool Players Association. "As we consider youth to be the foundation of the sport, the ability to host the World Juniors Championship is a true honor for the USPPA. In addition, hosting the World 9-Ball Championship for Wheelchair Players is an excellent opportunity to showcase the wonderful skills and talent of these players." "The BCA would like to thank the United States Pool Players Association and the World Pool-Billiard Association for their partnership on these two significant events,"said Ivan Lee, chair of the WPA committee for the BCA. "We take our role as the North American representative to the WPA very seriously and will work hard with our partners at the WPA and USPPA to host a great event that creates an outstanding experience for all competitors." WPA President Ian Anderson says: "We are delighted that the BCA has been able to organize these world championships in the United States. We are also pleased that they are to be staged in Reno, a very popular venue for pool tournaments for many years. The WPA congratulates all involved in the staging of these excellent events that showcase the depth of talent our sport contains among the youth and wheelchair players of today." The Junior World 9-Ball Championships will be comprised of the world’s best junior players from six continents. Last year’s competition was held in Willingen, Germany, and prior to that it was held in Sydney, Australia. "The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) is pleased to sponsor the 2008 USA Junior Team to the World Championships," said BEF President Tom Riccobene. "This year’s team is as fine a representation as we have ever had. We thank the BCA for its direct support and for hosting this important event." The USPPA is hosting the 2008 World 9-Ball Championship for Wheelchair Players in collaboration with the National Wheelchair Poolplayers Association (NWPA), which is the governing body for wheelchair pool in the United States. The NWPA hosts and sanctions a national network of tournaments for wheelchair players and maintains the national rankings for players who compete in these events. The NWPA will select the U.S. players who will be invited to compete in this year’s world championship for the current national rankings and/or previous outstanding player achievements, and will work with the other pool federations around the world to develop the invitations for international wheelchair players. The NWPA will also offer players who did not receive a player slot through the selection process a chance to earn a qualifier spot in its 2008 National Wheelchair 9-Ball Championship, which will be held at Diamond Billiards in Brea, California, in mid-October. "The NWPA is excited that the USPPA has taken the initiative to add these two prestigious championships to its schedule of events at the Reno Open," said Jeff Dolezal, president of the NWPA. "We are looking forward to working with the USPPA to make these events a success. Billiards is an sport for everyone and the inclusion of the Junior World Championships and the World Championship for wheelchair players together with an existing professional billiard tournament and a high-caliber pro-am event clearly demonstrates the versatility of the sport and the high level of skill in which it can be played, regardless of your age, sex, or whether you compete from a standing or sitting position." About Billiard Congress of America Founded in 1948, the Billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards though educational, marketing and promotional efforts, annual industry trade shows, tournaments and; other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody’s game. For more information, visit www.bca-pool.com or call 866.852.0999World Pool-Billiard Association Formed in 1987, the World Pool-Billiard Association is the international governing body for pocket billiards.United States Pool Players Association Founded in 1969 by Gene Stary, the United States Pool Players Association has been the promoter and operator of the USPPA Pro Am and Reno Open since their inception in the early 80s. The organization is also committed to developing robust youth programs aimed at growing the sport for generations to come.National Wheelchair Pool Players Association Founded in 1997, the National Wheelchair Poolplayers Association, Inc., is a nonprofitorganization dedicated to encouraging, developing and regulating wheelchair billiards. The NWPA is the national governing body for wheelchair billiards through Wheelchair Sports U.S.A. and the BCA. # # # ############################################ |
