The WPBA has released their comments on the Jasmin Ouschan Suspension via the following press release...
On October 14th, 2008, the WPBA Board of Directors voted to suspend Jasmin Ouschan for 2 tournaments, effective immediately, for her participation in the World 10-Ball Championships.
Two months earlier, on August 6th, the WPBA had released an official statement to its players that no waivers would be granted for the World 10-Ball Championships. This decision was due to the fact that it was in direct conflict with the dates for the WPBA Pacific Coast Classic.
On August 18th, Ms. Ouschan submitted a letter to the Board asking that the Board reconsider its position on allowing players to participate in the 10-Ball Championship. The WPBA Board recognized that the conflict in dates presented Ms. Ouschan with a difficult decision and the WPBA appreciates the impact for a player to receive an invitation to participate in a World Championship.
However, the WPBA is obligated to operate within the best interest of our tour, our sponsors, and our venues. In doing so it allows the WPBA to keep intact a premiere Tour for the players to participate in.
The WPBA is owned by the players and without their commitment to the organization there is no value to our sponsors. Ms. Allison Fisher and Ms. Ga-Young Kim were also invited to compete in the 10-Ball Championship but abided by the Boards decision, Ms. Ouschan acknowledged that there would be penalties imposed if she chose to compete.
The WPBA announced the Tour schedule in January on the WPBA website, and then sent an email to let players know about this schedule on February 1st. The WPA acknowledged that the WPBA's event had already been scheduled prior to the World 10-Ball Championship dates being set but chose to go forward. It is unfortunate that the players were affected by this date conflict. The WPBA has since learned of other possible upcoming date conflicts with WPA events and hopes to work with them to find a way to avoid these issues in the future.
At this time, Ms. Ouschan has utilized her right to appeal. The appeals process states that the player may compete in WPBA events until the appeals board comes to a decision.
