BRUSSELS: India's Dhanraj Pillay and Pritam Rani Thakran are among the contenders for the inaugural FIH International Player of the Year Awards, to be awarded in Alexandria, Egypt, at the 76th anniversary function of the FIH on October 26.

A 10-member selection panel, consisting of coaches, athletes, umpires and mediamen are examining nominations received from five continents. Judging criteria include skill technique and championships won, leadership qualities, impact on team performance, disciplinary record and involvement in hockey off the field of play.

Cueists beaten

DUBAI: Former Asian champion Yasin Merchant was the sole winner for his country as India went down 1-4 to Malaysia in the Emirates International Snooker Championship here on Monday night. India will now take on Egypt.

In another match, Pakistan beat Thailand 3-2.

Results: Malaysia bt India 4-1

(Sam Chong bt Dharminder Dilly, Ng Ann Seng bt Siddharth Rao, Patrick Ooi btSarang Shroff, OOi Chin Kay lost to Yasin Merchant 3-4, Lim Soon Tut bt Ashok Shandilya