Ssb - germany to host ranking event

[MySockPuppet]

Germany will host a world ranking event next season according to new WPBSA chairman Barry Hearn, who briefed the media at the Pokerstars.com Masters at Wembley today.

Snooker is high in popularity in Germany and continental Europe is likely to be one of Hearn's main areas of interest as he attempts to breathe new life into the sport.

More details in Clive Everton's Guardian story here.


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[missneworleans]

Is that for sure???
Very good than

[Looki]

Good news!

[steveb72]

Great news. Very exciting times indeed!

[rivercard]

At last! Very good news indeed.

[Mr P]

Some more good news for Snooker under Barry Hearn, this is a sign of things to come.

[steveb72]

Is anyone bothered about not having a ranking event in Malta anymore?

It also looks like the Welsh Open could be in doubt unless it attracts a sponsor.

[ja.]

good news but i hope they leave the PHC alone.

[Mr P]

Is anyone bothered about not having a ranking event in Malta anymore?

It also looks like the Welsh Open could be in doubt unless it attracts a sponsor.

I don't think Snooker will be back in Malta again. Hearn will be looking to take it to wider countries, and he has already sent it to Germany.

[rivercard]

Is anyone bothered about not having a ranking event in Malta anymore?

It's never nice to lose a ranking event and the Malta Cup had a bit of history.. I would like to see a tournament in Malta in the future, even if it would only be invitational.

[missneworleans]

good news but i hope they leave the PHC alone.

Must do

[montoya10]

I hope Welsh Open does not get cut off.. I'm enjoying it much more than Shanghai Masters or any other Far East tournaments.. Probably because I miss the whole action because of different time zones

Anyway, great to have Germany, and Europe back

[Odrl]

Ah... That's better.

First real step in the right direction by the Hearn administration. It's common sense to stage a ranking event where there's potential audience to watch it, and it's the governing body's job to make sure the interest is transformed into funding. At least under the current system.

I wonder if this now means that there won't be a 7th ranking event this season, as it was supposed to be the Malta Cup. Still, I won't complain, as long as there is some long-term "vision" behind that decision.

The Welsh Open has had it's problems as well, mostly with attendances, but it has the chance to prove itself this year. The figures at the Masters have been promising, it will be interesting to see if the Welsh Open improves as well. And if it doesn't, there's still a chance that moving it to a different venue can increase the interest.

I also wouldn't mind an additional event in the Far East. Sure, it's inconvenient for Europeans to watch them, but that's just selfish, especially considering that it's even worse for Asians to watch the UK events in the middle of the night. The two Chinese event have always been able to find local sponsors, and the prize money has increased every year, even during the recession. The problem in my opinion, is that the Chinese snooker scene seems completely separated from the UK one. The people that work on organizing and funding those events need to be invited and involved in the decision making at the top of the game, because Hearn and the board are unlikely to have the necessary business connections to fully exploit that market.

[jonnylovessn8ker]

now we are just hoping for one in hong kong

and then in thailand

and then in canada

and then in india

and then in japan

and then in spain

and then ....and then....

alll hail hearn the prophet chairman!!

[Kathrin]

Heard it´s gonna be in february 2011 in berlin