APA Pool Leagues Expand to Japan

APA Pool Leagues Expand to Japan
Japanese Poolplayers Association Forming Teams in Tokyo
LAKE SAINT LOUIS, MO (January 23, 2007) — The world’s largest amateur pool league is expanding oversees to Japan. In late-December, the American Poolplayers Association (APA) granted Noriyuki Nanjo approval to begin promoting and administering APA Leagues in Tokyo as the Japanese Poolplayers Association (JPA).
Nanjo, a former APA member, began playing pool in the APA Leagues in Washington State while attending college.
“The APA League was a great place for me to learn about the game of pool and meet many new and interesting people,” said Nanjo.
Upon graduation, he inquired about starting an APA franchise in Japan. After months of finalizing details and attending extensive training, Nanjo’s franchise was approved.
The JPA will operate under the same guidelines as APA Pool Leagues and will utilize The Equalizer® handicap and scoring system. JPA teams will be eligible to qualify for the APA National Team Championships held annually in August at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The first JPA League is scheduled to begin in February.
“We’re very excited to bring the pool league concept to Japan. The sport is extremely popular in Asia and we hope the success of the JPA will eventually help us tap into that popularity throughout the rest of the continent,” said APA President Reneé Poehlman.
The APA, based in Lake Saint Louis, Mo., sanctions the world’s largest amateur pool league, known as the APA Pool League throughout the United States, and as the Canadian Pool League in Canada. More than 260,000 members compete in weekly 8-Ball and 9‑Ball league play. The APA is generally recognized as the Governing Body of Amateur Pool, having established the official rules, championships, formats and handicap systems for the sport of amateur billiards.
The APA produces three major tournaments each year—the APA National Team Championships, the APA National Singles Championships and the U.S. Amateur Championships—that, together, pay out nearly $1.5 Million in cash and prizes annually!
The APA and its championships are sponsored by Cuetec Cues, Aramith Billiard Balls, Valley Teflon Ultra Cloth by Championship and Valley Tables.
For more information about the APA, visit www.poolplayers.com. For more information on the JPA, visit www.poolplayers.jp.

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