In what could potentially transpire to be one of the best things to happen to snooker in recent years, world champion John Higgins and his manager, Pat Mooney, are to launch a 'World Series' of events around Europe next year.
Four tournaments are planned between May and August with Higgins hoping the mini-tour will grow in future years.
Eurosport's blanket coverage of major events has done for snooker in Europe what the BBC did for it in the 1970s and 80s.
Warsaw, Moscow, Jersey and either Germany or Holland have been chosen as the stopping off points for the first four tournaments.
"I've been looking forward to doing something like this for a long time," revealed Higgins.
"The idea is to get some small invitational events going - and with time they will grow and grow. The future of snooker is in Europe.
"I've always wanted to give something back to snooker and, being the world champion, this is the ideal opportunity.
"My name carries a lot of weight in the game, so I want to do my best to promote the sport. I've been happy to sit in the background in the past, but with my business head on I know I've got to push myself more.
"This is a very exciting opportunity for snooker, myself and a lot of other players."
The tournaments, which will all be televised, will feature top players plus local hopefuls and will compliment rather than clash with the main World Snooker events.
This could be the start of a genuine expansion of the game across the continent.
7 comments:
Sounds good, any idea where it'll be shown on TV?
An announcement will be made in the next couple of weeks
It will be a great opportunity to go and see Snooker in destinations we can afford to visit
Its very exciting stuff yeah!
This is great news for snooker! Well done to Higgins and co for doing something highly pro-active for the sport.
There's no reason why snooker shouldn't be a 365 day a year sport, even if all the top pros don't play in every event!
Andy
Yes I like the fact there will no longer be a few months without snooker after the WC.
Also have the 'Premier League' qualifiers next year from Feb-May, so I'm really looking forward to Snooker in 2008.
Hi everyonbe,
Watch this space for a major press announcement relating to the Snooker World Series.
Rock and roll snooker is coming to town and the grand old game is about to be reborn and given the kudos it deserves.
Rob Smylie
Events Director
FSTC SPORTS MANAGEMENT
rob6357@tesco.net
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