Promoting any event one naturally looks for the most appealing features to expose and exploit in order to generate ample interest and enthusiasm.

Well, that's what I have been doing for so many years now, whether the do is snooker, windsurfing, yachting, powerboats, rock concerts, beer festivals, art exhibitions, etc.

In a few days' time Malta will be hosting a sixth world ranking snooker tournament over a period of nine years - four European Open tournaments and one Rothmans Grand Prix.

Definitely, all memorable events on the prestigious calendar of the World Snooker Association and proud moments in the vivacious memoirs of Snooker Promotions.

Here again one has to refer to all the big stars who for over a week, between January 31 and February 6, will brighten our Mediterranean sky with flashes of their magic wonder which truly makes them Masters of the Green Table in the Island of the Knights.

Yet, on the eve of such a daring challenge, where the ultimate honour is the conquest of the Malta Cup with a prize-fund of £200,000, I decided to hail four contenders whose courage and enthusiasm may not be enough for them to overcome their hurdles, yet the actual happening of their participation is so significant.

Here, I am referring to Alex Borg, Simon Zammit, Joe Grech and Duncan Bezzina.

Four local amateur players who undoubtedly look upon the Malta Cup as a 'dream' milestone in their sport career of contesting a world ranking tournament alongside their own favourite famous players.

At this point one cannot miss out on congratulating Snooker Promotions for their 'double hit' - bringing about another world ranking event to Malta and also securing four wild card places which the WSA offered to the leading local amateur players.

Furthermore, as remarked by a spokesman for WSA on the event's announcement: 'No doubt the legions of snooker fans in Malta are equally pleased'.

In fact, the first day of the Malta Cup will present three sessions comprising nine matches, four of which will be the wild card encounters.

Zammit plays Mike Dunn in the first session at noon, Grech plays Tom Ford and Duncan Bezzina faces Neil Robertson in the second session at 4 p.m. Borg meets Adrian Gunnell in the third session at 8 p.m.

A quick glance at our boys' opponents gives us the four lowest-seeded qualifiers in the event who, however, enjoy considerable top-level tournament experience.

Dunn is 33 years and ranked no.58. He has been a professional since 1991, and has reached the last 32 in ranking events on five occasions. Ford, 21, is ranked 74 and has been a professional since 2000. He has reached the last 32 in the British Open 2004.

Robertson, who plays Bezzina, is 22 years old and ranked 68. He has been a professional since 1998 and has reached the quarter-finals of the 2004 European Open. Borg's opponent Gunnell, 32, is ranked 60. Gunnell has been a professional since 1994 and has reached the last 16 of the 2001 Thailand Masters.

Yes, a big night for all.

While the four local wild cards will be getting the fullest encouragement from the anticipated full-house auditorium of the Hilton Malta Conference Centre, Portomaso, a tremendous roar of support undoubtedly awaits Malta's only professional - l-Istilla ta' Malta and Valletta in particular, Tony Drago.

'Tornado Tony' is playing his Round One qualifier on February 1 at 8 p.m.

Going through the players' profiles, I noticed that a particular date stands out in Drago's snooker biography - 1985. In that year, 20 years ago he became a professional player.

Twenty years of professional snooker characterising a thrilling and colourful adventure worth exploring... well, that is my next assignment.

The four Maltese wild card entries in the Malta Cup

Name: Alex Borg

Rank: 1.

Originates: Mellieha.

Club: Melita Band Club, Msida.

Age: 35 (5-6-1969).

First major participation: World Amateur Championship 1987 (India).

Professional tournaments contested: From 1991 to1996 Borg turned professional and played preliminary rounds in all world ranking tournaments of the time.

Best result: European Team Cup 2004 (Latvia).

Highest tournament break: 144 - national record since 1997.

Favourite player: Stephen Hendry.

Name: Simon Zammit

Rank: 2.

Originates: Hamrun

Club: Jesmond Sporting Club, Hamrun.

Age: 37 (1-9-1967).

First major participation: 1995 Cisk Gold Malta Masters.

Professional tournaments contested: European Open 2001.

Best result: European Team Cup 2004 (Latvia).

Highest tournament break: 139 - national championship 2001.

Favourite player: Stephen Hendry.

Name: Joe Grech

Rank: 3.

Originates: Hamrun.

Club: St Joseph Band Club, Hamrun.

Age: 50 (9-7-1954).

First major participation: World Amateur Championship 1978 (Malta).

Professional tournaments contested: Dubai Classic '89 (reached last 16). From 1989 to 2001 Grech turned pro and played preliminary rounds in all world ranking tournaments of the time.

Best result: Continental Team Cup 1999 (France).

Highest break: 141 - ranking tournament.

Favourite player: Stephen Hendry.

Name: Duncan Bezzina

Rank: 4.

Originates: Senglea.

Club: Senglea Social Club, Senglea.

Age: 24 (30-12-1980).

First major participation: Under-19 European Championship '97 (Jersey).

Professional tournaments contested: None.

Best result: European Team Cup 2004 (Latvia).

Highest tournament break: 137 - 2001 Premier Championship.

Favourite player: Ronnie O'Sullivan.