Former billiards and snooker player, coach and administrator M.H. Raibin died on Wednesday and his Janaza took place at Kohilawatha Muslim burial grounds on Thursday night. It was understood that Raibin, who was 71 years old died after a brief illness. The cue fraternity has lost a person who served the game with utmost dedication.
M.H. Raibin who was an unforgettable character in the sport played on green baize. He was a top cueist and represented MICH and Sri Lanka in international tournaments. He has given a big hand for the cue sport as a player and coach and at one time was the National coach in Billiards and Snooker in Brunei Darussalam. Many a cue enthusiast will be aware that during his playing days Raibin was one of the finest cueists the country produced. He was one of those sportsmen who brought glory to his motherland through his performances at international level.
He was the National snooker champion in 1989 and 1993. He was runner-up in 1986 and 1991. During the World Snooker Championships held in Colombo in 1990 he was player cum coach.
He was the cueist who won the first MICH organized MJM Lafir memorial trophy snooker championship in 1982 and then again in 1988.
Raibin first won the Lanka Plate All Island snooker championship in 1977 and the Lanka Plate billiards in 1983. He also represented the country at the B.E.L. Officers invitation tournament in Bangalore in 1983. He was also a member of the Sri Lanka team for the International snooker tournament league championship held in Chicago in1985 and in London in 1986.
He was the quarter-finalist at the 3rd Asian Snooker Championship held in Sri Lanka in 1986 and took part in the World Amateur Snooker Championship held in New Zealand. In the early years Raibin led Sri Lanka against Pakistan in snooker for the U.W. Sumathipala trophy.