LHASA - Billiards and snooker have become popular sports in China's southwest Tibet autonomous region.

"I will try to win the first prize next time because I think I still have potential," said Lhagpa, who finished third at the 3rd Tibet Autonomous Region Snooker Championships.

In the early 1980s when billiards first appeared in Tibet, many Tibetans were very curious about the sport. But today, billiards has become one of the most played game in the life of Tibetans.

The sound of the balls smacking into one another can be heard along ancient Tibetan lanes which are dotted with small billiards stores.

Posters of Ding Junhui, Ronnie O'Sullivanm, Pan Xiaoting, and other world popular billiards or snooker players were hung on the wall. As a foreign sport, billiards has been integrated into the traditional life of Tibetans.

In Tibet, there is a traditional game named Ji Ren, which is called Tibetan billiards, as the rules of playing are similar with those of billiards.

"We will set up a billiards and snooker association to promote the game in Tibet," said Tibetan sports official Yang Mingcun. "We'd like to see Tibetan players at the world competition."