UAE Kamali captures gold

Khalid Kamali tamed Ahmed Al Jalaad Dubai - Arabstoday There were heroics, there was drama and then there were celebrations as Khalid Kamali tamed Ahmed Al Jalaad of Jordan 4-3 to capture the youth singles gold medal for the UAE at the Seventh Arab Snooker Championships 2012 on Thursday evening. It was match of high quality from all counts and what was most impressive about the bout was that the two young featherweight contenders pummeled each other with vehemence and confidence. Kamali’s performance in the title showdown will linger on in the memories of snooker fans for a long time, especially his total clearance of 130 points which is both highest of the whole tournament and the young cueist’s career. Kamali seemed lost for words after the final, but later said: “It is the finest moment of my career. I have won gold medals before but this holds a special place as the competition was far tougher than it had been ever before. “I had made up my mind before the final to go in and try win the hearts of the local fans more than the match itself. I am happy that I succeeded in winning both. Kamali took the tight first frame, but then conceded the second to allow his opponent tie the score at 1-1. Kamali started showing his true potential in the third frame, which he captured with ease. A spectacular long pot on the first red put him on course to a mesmerising display that led to the total clearance of 130 points. However, there was of dramatic turn of events in store in the fourth frame. With scores tied 38-38, Jalaad missed an angular shot on the last pink to concede six penalty points. When asked to replay from the same spot, he had a fluke on the pink and then had a similar stroke of good luck on the last black while attempting a safety to steal the frame. Jalaad clawed his way back further by taking the sixth, but Kamali held on to his nerves to snatch the deciding seventh frame and capture the gold medal for the UAE.