China to the rescue!!!

[TheOne]

Just noticed there is 3 (4 if you count Fu from HK) Chinese players in this years world snooker championships last 32 (12.5% of the field!)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7346265.stm

Add to that the great things the Chinese did in last years world 9 ball and most likely the current world 8 ball my question is will China save these sports?

There's already talk about moving the World Snooker championships abroad to the highest bidder plus a world series of events.

Now Macau is mentioned as a possible host of this years world 9 ball.

Add to that Ronnies 7 digit sponsorship deal and it sure doesn't look impossible.

I don't think it would be the worst decision in the world to hold both world championships in China, geez if a local player did well can you imagine...!

Yes it would mean more travel for European and American players BUT would they really care if they were bringing home the cash?

 

[Celtic]

Asia in general has been far more successful at promoting this sport then people in America or Europe have managed. Part of this might be due to the population density, I golf alot here in Canada in the summer and if I moved to Hong Kong I am sure that would be put off to the side for alot more pool.

The sport is getting more and more popular in Japan, Indonesia, the Philipines, and for sure in China. This will continue I am sure, perhaps eventually if the popularity and money reaches a high enough level in Asia then it will have a trickledown effect for America and Europe. But as of right now if you want to live in a place where pool is on the rise Asia is where it is at.

 

[TheOne]

Asia in general has been far more successful at promoting this sport then people in America or Europe have managed. Part of this might be due to the population density, I golf alot here in Canada in the summer and if I moved to Hong Kong I am sure that would be put off to the side for alot more pool.

The sport is getting more and more popular in Japan, Indonesia, the Philipines, and for sure in China. This will continue I am sure, perhaps eventually if the popularity and money reaches a high enough level in Asia then it will have a trickledown effect for America and Europe. But as of right now if you want to live in a place where pool is on the rise Asia is where it is at.

Agree Celtic, I just watched a young 17 year old chinese player make his debut at the crucible today. He was player Ronnie and went 3:0 down live on TV and in front of hundreds of fans. He then played some awesome stuff to come back and tie the match 4:4. Another one of the 4 thrashed former world champion Ken Doherty, and Ding edged out Fu.

I just read this article, absoloutely fascinating! Snooker is the SECOND most popular sport in China to basketball.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7356512.stm

I've been banging this drum for sometime but there is a huge opportunity for a promoter to set up a tour in CHina at the moment. Company's will be queuing up to sponsor it and TV coverage will not be hard I'm sure.

Charlie Williams should expand his Korean tour and hold an event in China, it just might snowball!