Cypriot Tam Mustafa from Croydon has qualified to join World Snooker's professional ranks after coming through the amateur stage of the world championship at Hazelgrove Snooker Club in Stockport.

Twelve countries were represented at the qualifiers and Mustafa's promotion doubles Cyprus's pro contingent to two with Mehmet Husnu of Sydenham being the other.

Mustafa edged to a 5-4 win in the first round against Chessington's Paul Ganley.

After leading 3-1 at the interval having made a break of 110, he lost the next three frames to trail 4-3.

But Mustafa rallied to win the next easily and clinched victory 70-60 in the decider.

In his final match he had breaks of 54 and 60 to beat Scottish international Weland Holroyd 5-2.

Mustafa will now play in the first stages of the Embassy World Championships in Harrogate, North Yorkshire in January against lower ranked professionals who are not on the challenge or main Tours.

There is still a long way to go before the final stages at the Crucible in Sheffield next April as Mustafa may have to win another 16 matches to reach the sport's most famous venue.

While it's a tall order, two English players last season secured enough points in the qualifiers to gain promotion to the main tour.

November 28, 2001 15:30