★★Qatar gets right to host World 9-Ball Championship For Four Years★★
- Thread starter cmbwsu
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To Scott Lee,
The Mosconi Cup event is privately owned. Why on earth would Matchroom want to take it to the Middle East when it is a contest between the USA and Europe, The jibe about greasing palms was reallly not something that I expected from someone who who I respect as much as you Scott
The Mosconi Cup event is privately owned. Why on earth would Matchroom want to take it to the Middle East when it is a contest between the USA and Europe, The jibe about greasing palms was reallly not something that I expected from someone who who I respect as much as you Scott
I mentioned in a previous post the WPA Kitchen Table. That is about the sum of it.
Golf has West Palm Beach and Tennis it's Wimbledon. Now at least we have a HQ in one of the World's wealthiest cities. That has to be progress.
The reality of the situation is there is only ONE WPA employee - Ian Anderson. There is a Board of Directors whose work input is negligible outside of periodic meetings.
But it is a One Man Band and given the circumstances I think that he does a great job.
At least in Qatar he will probably get some office support staff.
No offence meant to anyone, but if that is of what the WPA consists then perhaps it should be abolished & let another entity take over.
Who wants to be the World Governing Body for Cue Sports. Submit an application & the top three will be selected by the WPA to be submitted for a vote of approval by all of the current world wide professional players.
Or better yet, keep the WPA out of the process & any & all comers submit applications directly to a 3 man players rep panel for approval to be put to vote by all players. The panel could consist of a rep from USA, Europe, & the Far East, or something similar.
There has to be more than a One Man Band willing to be the Governing Body of World Wide Cue Sports.
Just a thought.
I don't think that Ian Anderson should be left out of this equation. If he is a One Man Band then he has an orchestra of instruments in his armory.
He has the recognition of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and also the World Confederation of Billiard Sports (WCBS). They are two powerful endorsements.
Leaving Barry Hearn aside because he is not interested beyond his current portfolio of events (Mosconi Cup, World Masters and the WCOP) just who are the great and good who would populate these new bodies. I have the benefit of knowing virtually anyone of any substance in the game and I am hard pushed to imagine what alliances could be formed.
While I realise that players have an important stake in this scenario, they have proved time and time again to be poor decision makers, preferring SELF to SENSE.
The WPA may not be perfect but they do stand alone as an independent body with no
nepotismic axe to grind. Ian has secured many deals during his Presidency which may not be earth shattering financially, do aggregate up to a lot of money in a brutal economic climate. Hell, the World 9 Ball for another four years, that is over $2 million plus guaranteed.
It is not Qatar that is at fault. It is the US lack of appetite for the game.
Geographically speaking Qatar is very conveniently located for almost all participants, especially Europeans with 100% tax free economics that makes it ideal location.
I agree with those that have issue with streaming the event, i have a feeling if one of the Qatari kids made it to 32 you will see multiple streams. I think this stream situation will definitely change to the better.
pro,
As I said, no offense intended to anyone, especially Mr. Anderson. I know nothing of him.
It was just a little eye opening to read that the WPA exists of a one man operation capable of operating from a large van driving around somewhere in Europe or the Middle East.
Nepotism? A one man operation & a board.
Again no offense intended & no accusations.
I just think your declarative explanation raises more questions.
But... I used to me an international maritime investigator so I have an inquisitive background, which very often proved itself to be founded.
Regards & Best Wishes,
Rick
Guess you gotta do what you gotta do.....follow the money trail. Hope this move brings in more money to the tournament and the World Association....
NYC cue dude
Banned
Huh?
Although Gabica is a Philippine national, he was a de facto representative of Qatar as he has been a Qatar national team coach for the past 4 years as well as wearing the Qatar shirt and colors throughout this event. There could not be a more important representative for Qatar to stream and yet they intentionally did not.
Although Gabica is a Philippine national, he was a de facto representative of Qatar as he has been a Qatar national team coach for the past 4 years as well as wearing the Qatar shirt and colors throughout this event. There could not be a more important representative for Qatar to stream and yet they intentionally did not.
That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read in my life. I am pretty sure you don't even have a cousin in Qatar. Do you even know where it is? We're not talking about Iraq or Afghanistan here. Btw saying Qatar is unsafe is like saying California is unsafe because of Compton or New Jersey is unsafe due to Camden.
Qatar, like the UAE is reaping in the benefits due its abundance in oil. Tourism for both the UAE and Qatar are now their secondary sources of income and will be relied on heavily once the oil runs out. There is a huge xpat community in both countries and the monarchies of both countries have made sure to be as liberal as possible regarding elements such as alcohol. This is to appeal more to the western xpats who have flooding these countries because of the nonexistent tax rates and massive monetary and fringe benefits. Qatar will be hosting the 2022 Football World Cup while the Dubai has made huge strides to attaining the rights and is fav to host Expo 2020. If these countries were as bad and volatile as most of the comments coming from individuals who have never set foot outside the US (I'm pretty sure some haven't even left their own state) are saying, these countries would not be given (or about to be) these opportunities.
The fact that the World 9 Ball is in Qatar is probably one of the best things to happen to a game which has been spiraling out of control. Yes the stream was non-existent till the semi-final and commentary was in Arabic, but these are minor issues. I'm sure these things will be resolved and we're going to have Jay Helfert sitting in the commentary booth very soon. For Qatar the goal is to appeal to the Middle Eastern audience to gain attention and more investment and then diversify to an international scale. The fact that this tournament is actually being held is a step in the right direction considering just a few years ago, this tournament could not be held due to the lack of sponsors. Rather than recommending US and European players boycott this tournament because its in a volatile location (which another very stupid comment), lets get behind this tournament and make recommendations and support rather than criticize which has become a common theme on this forum.
The organisers had nothing to do with the lack of stream. The organisers signed a deal with Al Kass who are one of the largest broadcasters in the Middle East. It was their choice to not show up when they did as they felt the broadcasting the start of the Qatari Football season would reap them more benefits. No doubt however that the W9B organisers need to think more regarding their strategy of attaining a larger international appeal.
So you're going to base whether a country is safe or not on a article you read about a Norwegian woman? There were over 90000 cases of rape in 2008 in the US from which only 25% led to an arrest. Does that mean the US is an unsafe country?
Yes the laws in the UAE are different from the US and in this case and the way you've portrayed it, the woman should not have been in jail. However anyone who enters countries such as the UAE and Qatar should know that the government follows the Shariah Law (however they have been very liberal as compared to Saudi Arabia as access to alcohol is due to the abundance of hotels, bars and nightclubs in these countries). This means that having sex before marriage is a punishable offense. I'm not trying to take away the fact that the woman you mentioned in your post may have been a victim, and in that case her being jailed is an atrocity, however I cannot say whether this was a right or wrong decision without full knowledge of the facts.
you really need to educate yourself about the outside world and not just follow what's on CNN.
salted,
I was in the international maritime industry for nearly 15 years. I know where EAU & Qatar are. They are a long stones throw (or missile shoot or boat trip) over water just south of IRAN.
Why would any American or European want to go any where near there? To play or watch pocket billiards?
While EAU & Qatar may be on the right side of the tracks, so to speak, they are just in the wrong part of the world at this particular time in history.
Giving it to them at this point in time (& for the next 4 years) is just not good, IMO.
If you want people to get behind the event, it should not be held just south of IRAN.
If EAU & Qatar are turning their eye away from certain 'Sins' to make more money, how long before you think they attract the hate in their direction? Tomorrow, next week, next month, next year?
I actually hope someone comes up with an event at the same time where the Americans & Europeans, etc. have an option to play elsewhere & not just south of IRAN.
I Love The Game but the potential risk just out weighs the possible reward from an individual's perspective, IMO
Naturally all of the above are just my opinions.
Best Wishes,
Rick
NYC cue dude
Banned
Yes, I know that Al kass
Broke their contract. But ultimately, the promoters are responsible. They either didn't have the foresight to see this problem or their contract didn't have enough teeth. Either way, the stream was unavailable for the finals. Lest we not forget that the previous day the 3rd round was also supposed to be streamed and was not.
Broke their contract. But ultimately, the promoters are responsible. They either didn't have the foresight to see this problem or their contract didn't have enough teeth. Either way, the stream was unavailable for the finals. Lest we not forget that the previous day the 3rd round was also supposed to be streamed and was not.
English - I didn't question you regarding the location of Qatar. It was more towards the person said that his cousin felt unsafe leaving his base in Qatar as he thought he might get killed. Hope that clears up the first point you wrote 
I agree that the Middle East is going through through face of revolution and radicalism which has led to what has been on the news pretty much every day. That does not mean however that the countries in this region be abandoned due to what's going on with their neighbours. Now you tell me with an example that will have local appeal to you. A city in the US is having problems with impoverishment, crime, guns, rape and gangs. In order to tackle this problem, the government decides to stop investing in the whole state in which the city is found. What will that lead to? I hope you can see the resemblance of my example to what you're saying about Qatar and the Middle East.
I agree that the Middle East is going through through face of revolution and radicalism which has led to what has been on the news pretty much every day. That does not mean however that the countries in this region be abandoned due to what's going on with their neighbours. Now you tell me with an example that will have local appeal to you. A city in the US is having problems with impoverishment, crime, guns, rape and gangs. In order to tackle this problem, the government decides to stop investing in the whole state in which the city is found. What will that lead to? I hope you can see the resemblance of my example to what you're saying about Qatar and the Middle East.
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I completely agree that the WORLD 9 BALL not being at least streamed is a huge failure for the organisers and something which I'm sure will be on the top of their agenda come next year. However you cannot hold them responsible for what happened. The organisers were told that a stream would be available for the top 64 which did not happen. As a result the agreement with the broadcasters was not followed through. This will just mean the agreement will have to be looked upon again and refinements will be made or a new broadcaster will be needed. However trust me when I say that Al Kass is the best option with regards to quality and broadcasting. Its just they felt football was more important than pool.
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salted,
I don't see any resemblance in your example to the subject at hand.
Why was the event granted to a location in such a dangerous area of the world & for the next 4 years. It's not the WPA's job to support any country or city or area of the world.
If a city in a state is running rampant with violence where visitors can not be safe, the government does not reward the city with an Inauguration Ball for the Governor or any public event that they can direct. They invest in the city with increased law enforcement.
What's your dog in this 'fight'? Why are you so pro Qatar for this event?
Best Wishes,
Rick
my argument is that just because a few countries in a region are having issues, it should not mean events like the world 9 ball should be taken away from one of the locations in that region. This is why I used my example where a city in turmoil leads to a state being abandoned.
I can really go away from pool and try explain how certain events and decisions led to the turmoil (weapons of mass destruction?) however I want this argument to stick to pool. I'm only pro Qatar as I honestly feel this location, their investments and growing market towards the game in the middle-east can lead pool towards the right direction. There is no other location which can provide to the game like they can.
I can really go away from pool and try explain how certain events and decisions led to the turmoil (weapons of mass destruction?) however I want this argument to stick to pool. I'm only pro Qatar as I honestly feel this location, their investments and growing market towards the game in the middle-east can lead pool towards the right direction. There is no other location which can provide to the game like they can.
Doug, I'm wondering why the billiard world should support an area of the world that has had no interest whatsoever in promoting women's billiards.
What signal is the WPA sending by centering their headquarters where women are not even considered for billiards competitions?
You and others may be critical of the U.S. but the BCA has always made sure that the events they ran had equal support for both men and women. This treatment has not even happened in Europe. The EPBF has been far from fair towards it's women players based on the events it runs.