KATHMANDU: The first Sakura Snooker Open Championship is beginning here on March 13. A total of 128 players will take part in the tournament, informed the organisers at a press meet on Wednesday. Top two cueists will earn Rs 110,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively. Third-placed player, disciplined player, highest breaker and others in top 16 will get gift hampers. All the matches of the tournament will be played at Sakura Snooker House. “Top eight players will be selected from the tournament and they will fight against eight others who are already in the current national team,” said Nepal Billiards, Snooker and Pool Association President Saroj Mulmi. “We will organise selection tournament to pick up two players to represent the country in the first SAARC Snooker Championship to be held in Bangladesh from July 20-27,” Mulmi added. “We are committed to develop snooker and take it to a new height,” said the four-time national champion Mulmi.