CAIRO: The Red Sea town of Hurghada will today open the ninth World Cup of Billiards. The championship, organized by the Akhbar al-Youm Institution, will run from December 4 until December 10 at the Sunrise Garden Beach Hotel, under the auspices of Red Sea governor Mahmoud Essam. The Egyptian Federation of Billiards will supervise the championship. The European Union selected Egypt as the host after its strong showing in previous tournaments. Roughly 128 players from 22 countries will participate. Among those engaged include: Germany, Belgium, Turkey, the Netherlands, France, Korea, Japan, Colombia, Ecuador, Sweden and Denmark. French Kazumi television will broadcast the tournament and the ceremony on December 12.