Mumbai, March 9 (IANS): Maharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao formally inaugurated the Indian Open World professional ranking snooker tournament here on Monday with 2013 runner-up Aditya Mehta and former World champion Ken Doherty playing an exhibition frame.

Speaking on the occasion Jason Ferguson, chairman, World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, complimented the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India for organising the tournament and also praised the venue which won unanimous approval of the players.

Present at the hour-long function were former world billiards champions Michael Ferreira and Geet Sethi while national champion Pankaj Advani spoke on behalf of the competing players.

“I am happy that the sport is looking up with an Asian tour and an Indian League on the cards. The fact that Capt P.V.K. Mohan is now also the president of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation has raised the profile of Indian cuesport,” said Advani.