CUE SPORTS – Filipino legendary pool player Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes will be visiting the kingdom next year as a special guest attending the $1 million World Pool Championship, which is to be hosted by Bahrain for the first time.
Matchroom Multi Sport CEO Emily Frazer revealed that Reyes has committed to being in the kingdom for the event, and will be taking part in a series of fan-engagement activities with other international superstars of the game.
“We’re going to bring Efren over for the world championship and he definitely won’t be playing but I spoke to him in Manila and I was like, you’re coming to Bahrain, and he said he’ll be here,” Frazer told the GDN in an exclusive interview.
Frazer was in the Philippine capital recently for the Reyes Cup and Philippines Open, during which it was announced that the world championship would be taking place in the kingdom from 2027.
Reyes, now aged 72 and nicknamed ‘The Magician’, has visited Bahrain in the past and is certain to be a top attraction amongst fans.
Other big names in pool, both past and present players, are also expected to come to Bahrain.
“We did a live interview when we announced the world championship at the Reyes Cup and he spoke and had a big smile on his face and said that he had a wonderful time here and is excited to come back,” Frazer added.
“He’s really excited about being here and that’s what it’s about. The players are so humble, they want to do meet-and-greets, they want to sign autographs, and it’s going to be a whole week of activities.
“We just want to make the players happy, make sure that they have a great time, and I’m sure with us and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, we’re going to do a great job of that.”