Open Letter to the WPA

[JAM]

I just finished reading an article entitled "On-Court Brawl Trips Up China's Asian Games Work": Article in Taiwan News. [retrieved 7 November 2010]

Here is excerpt from the article that is disconcerting:

In Doha four years ago, China claimed 165 of the 428 golds...The delegation will include 35 Olympic gold medalists, many hailing from sports Chinese have traditionally dominated such as diving, gymnastics, table tennis and badminton. The hosts were also expected to perform well in some non-Olympic sports such as billiards, where the team features the wildly popular snooker player Ding Junhui.

This is the WPA website which lays out its constitution for the organization: WPA-pool.com

Article 2, Aims and Objectives, subsection (iii) says: To encourage the development of all pool-billiard disciplines as an international sport.

Article 2, Aims and Objectives, subsection (v) says: To adopt a sports policy which is not in conflict with the IOC’s rules as set forth in the Olympic Charter.

In the WPA's Constitution, Article 2.1, Aims, subsection (vii), it says, As a founding divisional member of the WCBS, the WPA recognises the WCBS as the world governing body of billiard sports with regards to their association to the IOC, GAISF, ARISF, ASOIF and multiple sports events.

Here is the WCBS website: World Confederation of Billiard Sports.

With all these pool federations, organizations, and entities, to include the BCA, I do not understand why pool is not in the Olympics. Is the WPA making strides in this area? What are they doing in this regard? How come this topic is not addressed very often?

Reading the above-referenced article stating billiards is a "non-Olympic sport" waves a red flag that, indeed, more needs to be done. The WPA requests a sanction fee to be paid by pool tournament organizers, which I think is 10 percent of the total tournament purse, but that is subject to check.

It would be nice to hear from the WPA from time to time about their efforts to get billiards recognized. A press statement or news article in the pool print media would be nice. If this goal is ever accomplished, I think it just might be the change agent to elevate pool and have it recognized as a legitmate sport, which might bring in more sponsors if they see pool at the Olympic games.

What do you think?

 

[JAM]

To be clear, I believe the WPA needs to be more forthcoming with their activities as long as they are collecting 10-percent sanctioning fees. You just don't read anything about them anywhere. Inquiring minds would like to know what are they doing to accomplish the aims and objectives in their WPA Constitution.

 

[JAM]

If pool was in the Olympics, the existing brethren of pool players would be heralded as athletes around the world. Sponsors -- and I'm talking non-pool industry sponsors -- would be chomping at the bit to pour money into pool if these players were recognized internationally.

Instead, many world-class pocket billiard champions today live in hotels and/or out of a suitcase, barely making ends meet.

Less than 1 percent of the population in the United States knows who Shane Van Boening is, I would venture to guess.

If pool was in the Olympics, I believe the professional pocket billiards players would be able to earn a decent living. I think efforts in this area should be the primary goal of the WPA, yet I sure don't read about their efforts to date in this area.

 

[JAM]

...The hosts were also expected to perform well in some non-Olympic sports such as billiards, where the team features the wildly popular snooker player Ding Junhui....

In case you don't know who Ding Junhui is, here's his Wiki article: Ding Junhui on Wikipedia.

He is a Chinese professional snooker player. Ding Junhui is already China's most successful player ever having become only the second teenager, after John Higgins, to win three ranking titles. A prolific breakbuilder when on form, it took him only five seasons to compile a century of centuries, a record he shares with Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Here he is depicted on the right, consoled by Ronnie O'Sullivan. :smile:

 

[Johnnyt]

I would like to hear from someone on the board of the WPA about what it is doing about getting Billiards into the olyimpics. I'm sure its a political thing and what country wants what sport in. With so many new pool players in Asia I predict it will happen soon, with probably not much help from the WPA. Johnnyt

 

[pt109]

Seems to me the WPA could start by ensuring that players get
paid in their sanctioned events.
Shouldn't that be part of their mandate?

 

[TX Poolnut]

They should have pool in the Olympics. Maybe I'd watch something besides women's curling next time.

 

[Blackjack]

They should have pool in the Olympics. Maybe I'd watch something besides women's curling next time.

No, you'd still watch women's curling.
:smile:

 

[JAM]

They should have pool in the Olympics. Maybe I'd watch something besides women's curling next time.

Maybe I was seeing something different than you, but that curling was spooky-looking.

They reminded me of vampires as they slide across the sheet of ice. :yikes:

 

[Dartman]

...
Less than 1 percent of the population in the United States knows who Shane Van Boening is, I would venture to guess. ...

Probably more like less than .001 for any male player. JL a different story.
Darts is on the same olympic wish - good (but old) pro/con article here featuring Phil Taylor & Tom McNabb
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/jan/04/sport.gdnsport3

 

[JAM]

Probably more like less than .001 for any male player. JL a different story.
Darts is on the same olympic wish - good (but old) pro/con article here featuring Phil Taylor & Tom McNabb
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/jan/04/sport.gdnsport3

Thanks for the link. That was a good read. It seems there are various disciplines who feel like they're getting the short end of the stick.

According to the Daily Trojan, Emily Clapper -- yes, those are the *real* names -- is a champion baton twirler, another sport that doesn't get recognized by the Olympics: USC Twirler.

The World Baton Twirling Federation is trying to get twirling recognized by the Olympic Committee, too. According to the WBTF website:

• Many member countries have been granted official sports recognition by their National Sports Governing Body and by their National Olympic Organizations.

• Baton Twirling was presented to the public for the first time as a “promotional sport” at the 1993 World Games in The Hague, Netherlands

At leat the twirlers look like they are making strides with recognition, thanks to their organization representing them.

 

[inside_english]

If pool was in the Olympics, the existing brethren of pool players would be heralded as athletes around the world. Sponsors -- and I'm talking non-pool industry sponsors -- would be chomping at the bit to pour money into pool if these players were recognized internationally.

Instead, many world-class pocket billiard champions today live in hotels and/or out of a suitcase, barely making ends meet.

Less than 1 percent of the population in the United States knows who Shane Van Boening is, I would venture to guess.

If pool was in the Olympics, I believe the professional pocket billiards players would be able to earn a decent living. I think efforts in this area should be the primary goal of the WPA, yet I sure don't read about their efforts to date in this area.

With all due respect to pool players everywhere, I personally do not view pool as a sport.
This is an age-old debate that has been discussed quite a bit online, but IMO The Olympic Games are meant to highlight the world's best athletes, and I do not think pool and athleticism are synonymous.

Of course, if someone is in great physical shape their chances of succeeding, or exceling at any activity greatly increases, but we all know people who are excellent pool players that are in very bad shape.

FWIW, I feel the same way about archery, and that is an Olympic "sport"!

 

[Scaramouche]

Most national governments give financial support to prospective Olympic competitors.
And most Olympic sports do not lead to financial security for champions.

IIRC that before any new sport can be come part of the Olympics, it must be a 'demonstration' sport first.
Such 'demonstration' sports choices are usually heavily influenced by the nation holding the games.

So: what country will support billiards and can afford to hold the Olympic Games?

In other words, what the WPA might like is irrelevant to the Olympic bureaucracy.

 

[inside_english]

If pool was in the Olympics, the existing brethren of pool players would be heralded as athletes around the world. Sponsors -- and I'm talking non-pool industry sponsors -- would be chomping at the bit to pour money into pool if these players were recognized internationally.

Instead, many world-class pocket billiard champions today live in hotels and/or out of a suitcase, barely making ends meet.

Less than 1 percent of the population in the United States knows who Shane Van Boening is, I would venture to guess.

If pool was in the Olympics, I believe the professional pocket billiards players would be able to earn a decent living. I think efforts in this area should be the primary goal of the WPA, yet I sure don't read about their efforts to date in this area.

Of course, no one would argue that having SVB or Thorsten as olympic athletes would be phenomenal for the game, or Jeanette, Karen, Allison etc., but again, that raises another old debate regarding presentability, marketability, professionalism, etc.

Or maybe you're on to something.

Perhaps having pool/billiards in the Olympics would be successful without worrying about it becoming more "mainstream". Instead, they bypass the mainstream audiences altogether and make a beeline to the Olympics, and we can enjoy the popularity that way.

Maybe we can enjoy a resurgence of the popularity every four years, like we do with curling (again, NOT a sport, IMO).

I still say they should televise and have more tournaments with eight ball, since that is the game everyone knows best, and is easiest to understand. Hell, bangers refer to it as "regular" pool, so what does that tell you?

If darts and poker become Olympic sports I am throwing in the towel...

Anyone remember the clamor in the eighties to make break-dancing an Olympic Sport?

What a joke.

BTW, I have a hard time seeing Efren on a Wheaties box as an "Olympic athlete".

 

[JAM]

With all due respect to pool players everywhere, I personally do not view pool as a sport.
This is an age-old debate that has been discussed quite a bit online, but IMO The Olympic Games are meant to highlight the world's best athletes, and I do not think pool and athleticism are synonymous.

Of course, if someone is in great physical shape their chances of succeeding, or exceling at any activity greatly increases, but we all know people who are excellent pool players that are in very bad shape.

FWIW, I feel the same way about archery, and that is an Olympic "sport"!

The next Olympics in 2012 will be the summer games to occur in London.

I don't view canoeing or sailing as a sport either, but they will be in the 2012 Olympics. I'm sure those canoe-ers and sailing peeps who do this professionally would put up a good argument to me why they should be deemed as a sport. :wink:

Since snowboarding was accepted into the Olympics, those snowboarders have received endorsements and the sport/game itself is now widely recognized. Some of the competitors make guest appearances on other TV night shows, to include Dancing With the Stars.

Wouldn't it be nice to see, say, Rodney Morris or Johnny Archer on Dancing With the Stars? :grin-square:

 

[JAM]

Most national governments give financial support to prospective Olympic competitors.
And most Olympic sports do not lead to financial security for champions.

IIRC that before any new sport can be come part of the Olympics, it must be a 'demonstration' sport first.
Such 'demonstration' sports choices are usually heavily influenced by the nation holding the games.

So: what country will support billiards and can afford to hold the Olympic Games?

In other words, what the WPA might like is irrelevant to the Olympic bureaucracy.

At one time, I remember Neils Feijen said he was sponsored by his country's Olympic Committee. Well, if pool ain't in the Olympics, why do they sponsor him? I don't get it.

 

[dorabelle]

Maybe I was seeing something different than you, but that curling was spooky-looking.

They reminded me of vampires as they slide across the sheet of ice. :yikes:

Your cute JAM. lol....

 

[inside_english]

Thanks for the link. That was a good read. It seems there are various disciplines who feel like they're getting the short end of the stick.

According to the Daily Trojan, Emily Clapper -- yes, those are the *real* names -- is a champion baton twirler, another sport that doesn't get recognized by the Olympics: USC Twirler.

The World Baton Twirling Federation is trying to get twirling recognized by the Olympic Committee, too. According to the WBTF website:

• Many member countries have been granted official sports recognition by their National Sports Governing Body and by their National Olympic Organizations.

• Baton Twirling was presented to the public for the first time as a “promotional sport” at the 1993 World Games in The Hague, Netherlands

At leat the twirlers look like they are making strides with recognition, thanks to their organization representing them.

OK, so all activities that include more than, say, three people should have an Olympic event, LOL.

I also recommend the following become Olympic sports:

Dominoes
Card-tossing
Midget-tossing (yeah,I said "midget)
Horse show pitching (or whatever they call it)
Hunting (he who kills the biggest buck wins)
Fishing

And why is no one asking for sex as an Olympic Sport?
Seems to me the athleticism required is obvious. One can be...ahem...measured for duration, stamina, sessions completed, and we can have an orgasmometer for the ladies that can measure intensity and volume.

But I digress, and of course am being totally flippant. My point is that just because someone is good at something does not make it eligible for Olympic recognition.

I see cheerleading and juggling next!

 

[inside_english]

The next Olympics in 2012 will be the summer games to occur in London.

I don't view canoeing or sailing as a sport either, but they will be in the 2012 Olympics. I'm sure those canoe-ers and sailing peeps who do this professionally would put up a good argument to me why they should be deemed as a sport. :wink:

Since snowboarding was accepted into the Olympics, those snowboarders have received endorsements and the sport/game itself is now widely recognized. Some of the competitors make guest appearances on other TV night shows, to include Dancing With the Stars.

Wouldn't it be nice to see, say, Rodney Morris or Johnny Archer on Dancing With the Stars? :grin-square:

Nice, no.
Hilarious, yes.

And snowboarding is actually exciting to watch and can entertain more spectators than pool...from a mainstream audience's perspective.

I spoke to someone last week about my vacation being spent at the U.S. Open Nine Ball Championships in Chesapeake, VA...and her surprised response was, "Wow! There are actual tournaments for pool??!?" And no, she wasn't kidding.

 

[JAM]

Well, the International Olympic Committee is not without its faults either.

In 2010, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was nominated for the Public Eye Awards. This award seeks to present "shame-on-you-awards to the nastiest corporate players of the year": IOC's Nomination to the Public Eye Awards.

Yen Makabenta, president of Raya Sports, writes: According to Ian Anderson, president of the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially given notice that billiards will not be part of the 2016 Olympic Games. It’s not one of the new sports being considered for induction into the competition. That distinction has been granted to five other sports -- karate, squash, roller sports, golf and rugby -- along with baseball and softball which currently already hold Olympic status. Two of these sports will most likely be included on the 2016 Olympics program.

The news is most disappointing to all of us in the international billiards community. But the fight for a place in the Olympics will continue. And the next target will be a seat in the 2020 Olympics, wherever that will be.

Yen actually gives a great history of pool's lack of recognition by the Olympics in this AzBilliards article, which is undated, sad to say. It's a shame they don't put dates on these articles as to when they were submitted: "Billiards in the Olympics" by Yen Makabenta.

In sum, Yen says this: The point is we need to make a stronger case for the inclusion of billiards in the Olympics. And the way to do this is to bring out the trumpet, spread the word, get the media more involved, and catch people’s attention.

The 2020 Olympics is a good target to aim for because the next five to 10 years will be a period of dynamic growth for billiards, especially for pool. Asia and the Middle East are emerging as the new hotbed of our sport. All over Europe, the EPBF and its member associations are finding more players and fans eager to support events. The US is getting re-energized by the new eagerness of the Billiard Congress of America to lead and the hunger of Americans to be champions again. And more and bigger international tournaments are being held as pool is catching more interest from sponsors.

In sum, the demographics of billiards is great. Fan and player interest is well-spread across the world. And we are a sunrise sport that is growing, not contracting, with every passing year.

Food for thought. Is the WPA the vehicle to do this? It seems like they have one tire in the sand. Why is there not more mention of their efforts to get pool recognized by the Olympics? I am confident if this could happen that things would change for the better, maybe not in my lifetime but for future aspiring pro pool players around the world. :smile: