Further to the post about the 888.com World Championship qualifiers and the question about how many tickets there are, please see the press release below.
It means that the qualifiers won't, after all, be played on the academy tables, which would have given certain players, Ding Jun Hui included, an advantage but will, instead, be played on four specially installed tables with seating for 300 spectators.
I think this is a good move, providing it's all set up correctly.
EIS-Sheffield selected to stage snooker world qualifier
Thirty two of the world’s top snooker players will be dreaming of Crucible glory when they play in the final qualifying round of the 888.com World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.
For the first time, the last hurdle of qualifiers for snooker’s most prestigious tournament will be held at the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield (EISS).
Ding Junhui, Marco Fu and Stuart Bingham are just some of the stars set to compete in the event, which runs from March 12 to15. Legends Jimmy White and John Parrott will also be in action if they make it through an earlier qualifying round.
The 16 winners will go through to the Crucible Theatre to compete for the famous World trophy and a prize pot of nearly £1 million from April 21 to May 7.
The EISS, a Sheffield International Venues (SIV) facility, has been selected to stage the tournament following the success of the Saga Insurance Masters qualifier at the EISS World Snooker Academy in November last year.
The qualifiers will take place in the EISS Badminton Hall where the organisers will set up four tables with room for up to 300 spectators. The recently opened World Snooker’s Academy, which is supported by Sheffield City Council and Yorkshire Forward, will house the practice facilities.All-day tickets will cost £5 and will be available from EISS reception from January 24.
Nineteen year old Chinese snooker sensation Ding, who is based at the EISS World Snooker Academy, recently became the youngest player to compile a maximum 147 televised break at the SAGA Insurance Masters at Wembley Arena.
Lorenzo Clark, General Manager of the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield, said: “We are delighted to attract yet another major sporting event to the EISS. It is one of the highlights of the snooker calendar and will be a great chance for fans of the sport to see some of the world’s leading players in action.
“Securing the qualifier at EISS cements our staging agreement with World Snooker and demonstrates Sheffield’s commitment to snooker and the importance of developing new professional talent.”
World Snooker’s Chief Operating Officer Nicky Fuller said: “We are confident that the EISS will prove an excellent venue to stage the final qualifying round of our most important tournament.
“It represents a great opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between World Snooker and Sheffield International Venues and enhances Sheffield’s reputation as the home of snooker.”
The EISS World Snooker Academy, which opened at the venue in 2006 provides training facilities for new and existing talent and acts as a centre of excellence for grassroots snooker.
2 comments:
Do we know when to expect the Draw yet
The draw will apparently be out this week at some point.
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