ASIAN CONFERDERATION OF BILLIARDS SPORTS

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BY- LAWS

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Note: These By-laws are made pursuant to Article 17 of the Constitution

 

A.0.   Membership

         

A.1      Country Member

A.1.1    An NSA located within Asia and duly accredited by its NOC, or equivalent, for billiard sports shall be eligible to apply for membership as a Country Member on such prescribed forms made available on application to the Secretary.

A.1.2 Billiard sports herein defined shall expressly mean the games of “snooker” & “English billiards” and, where applicable, shall include pool and carom as well. Other NSAs devoted to other disciplines of billiard sports, if they so wish, may equally apply for ACBS membership.

A.1.3    The Asian Regions defined herein shall coincide with that as geographically classified by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

A.1.4    All Country Members of the ACBS shall enjoy equal rights of membership as provided for in the Constitution.

A.2      Affiliate Member

A.2.1    An NSA not yet accredited by its NOC for billiard sports, or any person or trade organisation having an active role in the promotion of billiard sports, may equally be eligible to apply for an Affiliate Member of ACBS, through a written application to the Secretary.

A.2.2    The approval procedures and fees payable by the Affiliate Members concerned shall be the same as that applicable for Country Members.

A.2.3    Affiliate Members shall have no voting rights nor can they hold any office within the ACBS, save to serve as co-opted members of sub-committees, if duly appointed.

A.3      Membership application procedures & fee payments

A.3.1    An NSA applying for ACBS membership shall submit its application to the Secretary, to be accompanied by the prescribed fees, together with a copy of its constitution and registration certificate issued by its NOC and/or other equivalent agency to support its national accreditation status.

A.3.2    The annual membership fees payable to the Confederation for both the Country Member and Affiliate Member shall be US$500; the entry fees being US$300 and the annual subscription thereof shall be US$200.

A.3.3    The annual renewal subscription fees shall be US$200, made payable on written demand by the Secretary or Treasurer on the 1st day of January each year till March 31 thereof.

A.3.4    Payments shall be made direct to the Secretary or Treasurer or by telegraphic transmission to the appointed bank accounts of ACBS. If by telegraphic transmission, the remitting Country Member concerned shall extend a copy of the said transmission to the Treasurer.

A.3.5    All payments shall be made to exact sum as stipulated in US currency; any exchange and/or bank charges incurred therefrom shall be wholly borne by the payee Country Members concerned.

A.3.6    Country Members whose annual subscription payments are in arrears exceeding  two (2) consecutive years shall cease to be an ACBS member; in consequence thereof, it shall forfeit all rights of membership connected therewith.

B.0      Executive Board

B.1       At its first meeting after the applicable AGM, the Executive Officers shall appoint one representative from each of the four (4) Asian Regions, to join and constitute the Executive Board as the collective decision-making body of the administration of the Board.

B.2       Executive Board Members shall serve for a term of two (2) years; on expiry, each is eligible for re-election or may resign or be substituted therewith by his home Country Member on written notification.

B.3       A Executive Board meeting may be held one day before and/or after an AGM; notice thereof shall be given by the Secretary who shall keep minutes thereof for subsequent circulation to Board members.

B.4       The Board may establish sub-committees and ad hoc committees for special tasks as required; such committees shall preferably be chaired by an Executive Board Member, who may at his discretion co-opt other suitable members thereto.

B.5       Notwithstanding the aforesaid, ACBS shall have, if necessary, the following Standing Committees:

            B.5.1    Referees Control Panel;

            B.5.2    Multi-sports Committee;

            B.5.3    Constitution and Membership Committee;

            B.5.4    Tournament Committee and

            B.5.5    Finance and Marketing Committee.

B.6       In addition, the Board shall establish ad hoc committees and appoint suitable candidates to represent the ACBS on other boards of international bodies.

B.7       Decision-making on all matters (save on Constitution amendments), other than those to be carried by postal and/or e-mail ballot, shall be at Board Meetings as scheduled. If by postal ballot and/or e-mail, the Secretary shall circulate the same to all Board Members at least two (2) weeks in advance, giving one (1) week thereafter for voting. A simple majority votes thereof shall carry the said motions, with absentee replies being counted as absentations.

C.0      Annual General Meeting

C.1      Twelve (12) weeks before the scheduled AGM, the Secretary shall give written notice thereof to all Country Members, setting out the date, time, place and agenda connected therewith.

C.2      Any motion by a Country Member shall be received by the Secretary at least ten (10) weeks before the said AGM, for its inclusion and required circulation.

C.3      At an AGM where election of Executive Officers is to be held, nominations thereof shall be received by the Secretary for the required circulation at least ten (10) weeks before the said AGM.

C.4      Nominations so received by the Secretary shall contain the names of the proposer and the seconder and these correspondences must be on the proposing and seconding Country Members’ letterheads and both Proposer and Seconder must be office-bearers of their National Associations. Scanned copies of these letters are acceptable.

C.5      All nominees, including their proposers and seconders, shall be Country Members who are in benefit in their dues on the day of the said AGM.

D.0      Executive Board Meeting

D.1      The President shall call a Board meeting either to coincide with the Asian championship or at other times as warranted. For a Board meeting, the Secretary shall circulate the notice and agenda thereof to all Board members at least six (6) weeks in advance.

D.2      Any matter requiring voting thereat shall be set out in a proper motion with supporting documents by the Secretary. If any Board member is unable to attend, he may submit his views thereof to the Secretary within two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled meeting. There shall be no proxy votes; a simple majority in votes is required to carry the said motion.

E.0       Sub-Committee Meetings

E.1       It is the chairman’s discretion in each sub-committee to carry out the tasks so entrusted thereto. The proceedings thereof may be conducted by electronic media or faxes or correspondence; any decision reached thereof shall require no quorum but a simple majority by consensus.

F.0       AGM Election Procedures

F.1       At an AGM where elections are to be held, the floor shall appoint by majority two (2) scrutineers to oversee the election proceedings.

F.2       The said scrutineers shall not be a candidate standing for any election of office. The scrutineers shall assist in the distribution, collection and counting of the ballots, which results shall be announced by the Secretary at the request of the chairman of AGM.

F.3       Proxy votes shall not be allowed under any circumstances.

G.0      Finance

G.1      The Treasurer shall keep an up-dated accounts of the Confederation at all times; he shall be the signatory to all out-going remittances thereof, which shall be countersigned thereto by either the President or the Secretary.

G.2      He shall open a bank account(s) of the Confederation as decided by the Executive Board; prepare an annual Statement of Accounts,(ending December 31), to be externally audited for due circulation and presentation at the AGM.

G.3      In addition, he is required to prepare and present at the AGM a current un-audited statement accounts of the Confederation, not less than one (1) month preceding the date of the said AGM.

G.4      All out-going payments by the Treasurer shall be based on receipts or signed vouchers in support.

G.5      All expenses incurred by each Board member shall be with the prior authority of the Executive Board; if expended under dire emergency, it shall be duly reported to the Board and/or the AGM, whichever comes first.

G.6      For better transparency, unless with the prior approval of the Council, the Board is authorised to approve expenses incurred for and on behalf of the ACBS, based on the following prescribed quota:

G.6.1   President, up to a maximum US$2,000 on any one count;

G.6.2   Executive Officers up to a maximum US$2,000 on any one count;

           G.6.2   Executive Board up to a maximum US$10,000 on any one count;

G.6.3   In excess of US$10,000 on any one count, prior approval from the Council shall be obtained.

G.7      Notwithstanding the aforesaid, such heads of expenditure incurred shall be duly reported to the Council either by special circulation or by direct report at an AGM, whichever comes first.

G.8      For any contract payments arising from ACBS sponsors/partners, approval for such payments shall have to be initially obtained from Council for subsequent waivers and/or applications without further approval.

G.9      An officer assigned by ACBS and/or its Executive Board attending official functions representing ACBS shall be reimbursed for his return economy class airfares and hotel accommodation. In addition, an allowance at the rate of US$80 per day is payable.

 

H.0      Host Country for Asian Snooker Championship

 

H.1      Bidding procedures

 

H.1.1   Aside from the annual Asian snooker championship, the ACBS shall sanction or organise or help to organise such other championships like the Asian billiards, the Asian Cup, the Asian U21 etc. In such an event, the ACBS shall issue separate championship conditions and format of play connected therewith.

 

H.1.2   Likewise, the ACBS shall exercise such rights to debar any of its Country Members from entering or competing in an unsanctioned tournament that it deems detrimental to the aims and objects of the Confederation.

 

H.1.3   For the annual Asian snooker championship, a Country Member wishing to play host shall submit its bid to the Secretary or at an AGM, which acceptance shall be decided by the Executive Board or the Council, whichever is applicable, based on such valid grounds of the bid and in the absence of any further bidders.

 

H.1.4   If the said bid is insufficiently comprehensive, or if it is not firmly committal, the AGM shall direct the said Country Member to confirm subsequently the same in writing to the Secretary within two (2) months thereof.

 

H.1.5   If there be more than one (1) bidder, the AGM shall decide on the host country, based on comparatively more favourable conditions; the remaining unsuccessful Country Members shall be placed on waiting list in the order of priority for subsequent championships.

 

H.2      Championship dates

 

H.2.1    If duly confirmed, the Host Country concerned shall furnish in writing the exact dates, venue and negotiated hotel tariffs for the ACBS annual Championships thereof to the Secretary. The ACBS Asian Championship dates, wherever possible, shall be between late April and middle of May of the year or on any other dates so varied and approved by the Board. The ACBS Asian Under-21 Snooker & Billiards Championship dates, wherever possible, shall be between late March and early April of the year or on any other dates so varied and approved by the Board. The ACBS Asian 6-red Championship dates, wherever possible, shall be within the month February of the year or on any other dates so varied and approved by the Board.

 

H.2.2   The Secretary shall forward the appropriate entry forms to all Country Members not less than four (4) months before the start of the said championship.  Completed entry forms shall be returned within stipulated time, with a copy thereof being extended to the Host Country.

 

H.2.3   After consulting the Host Country, the Secretary in close liaison with the ACBS Tournament Director, shall circulate the dates set down for the seeding and the draw, immediately after the aforesaid closing of entries.

 

H.2.4   After the draw, no further changes thereto shall be allowed under any circumstances, save that, in extreme exigency, prior approval for minor changes from ACBS shall have to be obtained. However, in case, one (1) or more Groups for the first round, round robin matches have become grossly unbalanced due to late withdrawals, the Executive Board may allow a re-Draw.

 

H.2.5   Before the start of the said championship, the venue and the match-tables shall have to be checked and approved by the ACBS Tournament Director or any other Authorized Officer.

 

I.0        ACBS contracted partners

 

I.1        The Host Country is permitted to source its own sponsor(s) for the said championship. Notwithstanding this, if there be a subsisting partner(s) entered into by agreement with the ACBS, it is a pre-condition herewith that the sponsor(s) of the Host Country shall share proportionally with the aforesaid ACBS partner(s), in areas of publicity and advertising for the said championship. By such an arrangement, the ACBS shall endeavour its utmost to secure certain financial subsidy for the Host Country concerned.

 

I.2        In addition, the Host Country, if possible, may facilitate the said ACBS partner(s) to install their overhead webcam at the venue, for the purpose of internet broadcasting for the said championship.

 

I.3        The Host Country, if possible, may provide a suitable area, with internet  facilities adjoining the said venue, to enable the said ACBS partner(s) set up their own “internet café”. All computer hardware connected therewith, however, shall be the responsibility of the said partner(s).

 

J.0       Eligibility for entry of players   

 

J.1       All Country Members are eligible to enter the Asian Snooker Championship, Asian 6-red Championship and Asian Billiards Championship to be represented by two (2) players each and one (1) delegate for the Asian Snooker Championship. For the Asian Snooker Under-21 Championship, every Country Member is entitled to enter three (3) players each. The Host Country is entitled to enter a maximum of six (6) players at all the above Championships. For the Asian Snooker Championship, the Host Country may be represented by one (1) delegate, excluding its President who shall be the accredited ACBS Vice-President for the said championship.

 

Besides the above:

 

• Country winning the Asian Snooker, Asian Under-21 Snooker, Asian Billiards and/or Asian 6-red title(s) should be entitled to send one player more than its allotted to the next year's event, whether the defending champion is available or not;
• Players finishing runners-up and those entering semifinals of an Asian Snooker, Asian Under-21 Snooker, Asian Billiards and/or Asian 6-red Championships should be allowed to participate in the next year's event;
• In case, one of the players finishing second or the semifinalists in an Asian Snooker and Asian Under-21 Snooker Championship is selected to be the second Asian representative on the World Snooker Main Tour besides the winner, then his country should be entitled to send one player more than its allotted quota to the next year's event, whether the player concerned is available or not.

 

Notes: Players finishing second, third and fourth are not automatically entitled to represent Asia on the world Snooker Main Tour, as the second Asian representative is a player selected by the ACBS Board Members from the quarter-finalists of a given Asian Championship. Regardless of the above provisions, the host country is not allowed to enter more than a maximum of six (6) players. Regardless of the above provisions, no Country Member shall be permitted to send more than three (3) players to any given Asian Snooker, Asian 6-red and/or Asian Billiards Championships. Regardless of the above provisions, no Country Member shall be permitted to send more than four (4) players to any given Asian Snooker Under-21 Championship.

 

J.2       The reigning champion IBSF world champion (if an Asian) shall be entitled to enter on the same basis as other entered players.

 

J.3       If, after the closing of entries for the Asian Championship, Asian 6-red Championship and Asian Billiards Championship, there are absentees or last-minute withdrawals, no Country Member shall be allowed to enter more than two (2) players if not qualified by virtue of J.1 and players from any one Country Member shall not be allowed to compete each other in the same group in the round-robin stages. If, after the closing of entries for the Asian Under-21 Snooker Championship, there are absentees or last-minute withdrawals, no Country Member shall be allowed to enter more than three (3) players if not qualified by virtue of J.1 and players from any one Country Member shall not be allowed to compete each other in the same group in the round-robin stages.

 

J.4       Although all Country Members are invited to participate, Member Countries whose annual membership subscriptions are in arrears consecutively for two (2) or more years after the stipulated closing date of entries, shall be disqualified to enter.

 

J.5       Only nationals of a country whose National Sport Association (NSA) is a bona fide Member of ACBS are eligible to represent that country in events either organised or sanctioned by ACBS. It is not permissible for a competitor having once represented a country in any of the events either organised or sanctioned by ACBS to represent another country on a future occasion except where his former country or place of birth has since been incorporated into another State.

 

J.6       For players changing their nationality, they shall only be able to represent their adopted country only after a passage of three full calendar years, counting from their last participation in an event either organised or sanctioned by ACBS.

 

J.7        Persons born abroad of parents who are nationals of another country are permitted to represent the country of the parents, provided they have legally established their nationality and have not represented the country of their birth at an event either organised or sanctioned by ACBS. In case of persons who have represented the country of their birth at an event either organised or sanctioned by ACBS changing their nationality to that of their parents or any other country, the Rule No. 2 above shall be applicable.

 

J.8        For all multisport events, such as the Asian Games, Asian Indoor Games, South East Asian (SEA) Games, East Asian Games, etc, rules of eligibility set by the regional or Asian governing bodies for the Games concerned, such as the Olympic Council of Asia, SEA Games Federation Council, East Asian Games Association, etc, shall be strictly followed.

 

J.9        For the Asian Under-21 Snooker Championship, only those aged under 21 years on December 31 of the year preceding the given Championship shall be eligible to take part.

 

 

K.0      Accommodation & per diem payments

 

K.1       Host Country is to provide a twin-sharing room (including breakfast) for the two (2) players of each participating Country Member for the duration of the championship plus two (2) extra days, the latter being defined as one (1) day before and one (1) day after the championship period. The overall duration of the championship shall, wherever possible, not exceed nine (9) days in all. All participating countries will pay maximum a sum of US$50 (US dollar fifty) per room per day to the host country as a subsidy towards to cost of accommodation or the actual negotiated rates if it amounts to less than US$50.

 

K.2       For all participating delegates, the Host Country shall provide each with a single occupancy hotel room, including breakfast, for the whole or part thereof the championship period, based on their departure schedules. All participating countries will pay maximum a sum of US$50 (US dollar fifty) per room per day to the host country as a subsidy towards to cost of accommodation for their delegate or the actual negotiated rates if it amounts to less than US$50.

 

K.3       Economy return air-passages for the ACBS President, Executive Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be borne by the ACBS; however, their hotel accommodation, breakfast shall be borne thereto by the Host Country on the same basis as other delegates.

 

K.4       Other ACBS Board members attending the Board Meetings held in conjunction with the annual championships shall bear their travel expenses by themselves. However, their accommodation with breakfast shall be provided by the Host Country for a maximum of seven days.

 

L.0       Meetings & meeting facilities

 

L.1       The Host Country shall provide meeting facilities for the AGM, to be preceded by a Board meeting and, if necessary, another one after the AGM. As far as is practical, the said AGM shall be held within the last five (5) days of the championship period.

 

L.2       A Technical Committee meeting, chaired by the ACBS Tournament Director or any other available Executive Officers, shall be held one (1) day before the start of the championship. This meeting shall be attended by all participating delegates/players with the object of fine-tuning all the championship rules and conditions for adoption at the said championship. If needed, a press conference may be convened hereat by special arrangement of the Host Country.

 

L.3       The Host Country is entitled to organise the Opening & Closing Ceremony connected therewith in a simple but dignified manner; advance notice shall be given to the ACBS to delegate its Executive Officer(s) to officiate at such functions.  Site visits, if any, are left to the discretion of the Host Country.

 

L.4       Besides, the Host Country is to provide practice tables for players either at the competition venue proper or at any other convenient centres.

 

M.0      Prize moneys & trophies

 

M.1      The Host Country is at liberty to provide higher prize moneys as it wishes for each of the following winners; however, under no circumstance, shall such prize monies at the Asian Championship be less than the following stipulated:

 

            1st prize - US$3,500 cash (plus challenge trophy + replica)

            2nd prize - US$1,750 cash (plus replica trophy)

            Losing semi-finalists -US$   500 cash (plus replica trophy) each

            Highest break (over 100 pts)US$   500 cash (plus replica trophy)

            Maximum Break – 147-US$1,750 cash plus certificate

 

M.2      The Host Country is at liberty to provide higher prize moneys as it wishes for each of the following winners; however, under no circumstance, shall such prize monies at the Asian Snooker Under-21 Championship be less than the following stipulated:

 

            1st prize - US$1,500 cash (plus challenge trophy + replica)

            2nd prize - US$   750 cash (plus replica trophy)

            Losing semi-finalists - US$   350 cash (plus replica trophy) each

            Highest break (over 100 pts)US$  350 cash (plus replica trophy)

            Maximum Break – 147 - US$1,750 cash plus certificate

 

M.3      The Host Country is at liberty to provide higher prize moneys as it wishes for each of the following winners; however, under no circumstance, shall such prize monies at the Asian Billiards Championship be less than the following stipulated:

 

            1st prize - US$1,500 cash (plus challenge trophy + replica)

            2nd prize - US$   750 cash (plus replica trophy)

            Losing semi-finalists - US$   350 cash (plus replica trophy) each

 

M.4      The Host Country is at liberty to provide higher prize moneys as it wishes for each of the following winners; however, under no circumstance, shall such prize monies at the Asian 6-red Championship be less than the following stipulated:

 

            1st prize - US$3,500 cash (plus challenge trophy + replica)

            2nd prize - US$   1,750 cash (plus replica trophy)

            Losing semi-finalists - US$   500 cash (plus replica trophy) each

 

M.5      At times, it may be necessary for ACBS to include certain incentives to the aforesaid winning prizes (such as selection for representation for Asian Tours etc with due notice).

 

M.6      Challenge trophies for the Asian champions  shall be provided for by  ACBS; replicas thereof and other trophies for the remaining winners shall be borne by the Host Country. The highest break shall be over a century in points and in case of a tie the prize and trophy be awarded to the player who first made such a break.

 

N.0      Format of play & conditions

 

N.1      The following format of play shall be adopted for the Asian Championships, Asian Snooker Under-21 Championships and Asian Billiards Championships:

 

            First Round, Round-Robin                  Best of 7 frames

            Last 16 Round                                     Best of 7 frames

Quarter-finals                                      Best of 9 frames

            Semi-finals                                          Best of 9 frames