There are now as many ranking events in China as there are in England and for a sport with global aspirations that can only be a good thing.
There is a business rivalry between Shanghai and Beijing and with snooker so popular in China each city is determined to stage a top event.
The Grand Stage in Shanghai is aptly named: a superb arena that seats 8,000 with 3,000 expected for the final, which would make it one of the best attended matches in snooker history.
The locals are fanatical about snooker. Eleven young women wore t-shirts spelling out Michael Holt’s name, though how they would have coped had Martin Dziewialtowski qualified I’ve no idea.
It seems to me that there’s no reason – other than the obvious financial restraints – why more events can’t be added in China to develop a small Asian Tour.
Certainly their players are improving all the time and Ding Junhui is a national sporting hero in China.
Some British players don’t enjoy flying to the Far East but if they want to continue on the circuit they’d better get used to it.
2 comments:
Dave,
Its about time British snooker players took their rose tinted spectacles off and come round to the idea that the body that runs the snooker and its biggest event is called 'World' for a reason.
I have always felt that there may be many players who don't feel the challenge is in them to travel to matches.
We seem to forget the overseas players who have made the effort for the last two decades.
I really hope the boom takes off and does go around the world.
By the way, did your favourite, Maguire, go into meltdown again against Stevens?
Thanks, Joe
The match wasn't on TV but it looks as if Matthew played extremely well to come back
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