I gave them the benefit of the doubt until last November when the players had still not been paid from the WTB, and the WPA did not take action. That showed me where their loyalties lied.
New Event: Women's World 10-Ball Championship
- Thread starter DP.News
- Start date
I gave them the benefit of the doubt until last November when the players had still not been paid from the WTB, and the WPA did not take action. That showed me where their loyalties lied.
Yes, you are wrong. I attended that event and Shane lost to Dennis Orcullo in the final.
The plot thickens!
Hmmm...creating tournaments so players can win some money, expanding billiards popularity in new countries (like India), getting sponsorship money from outside the billiard industry (like Kia Motors), taking care of its own members and getting endorsement deals...sounds like a profitable business model!
Bashing DP is sorta like bashing APA for making money off of its members, it doesn't make any sense. They are a business, and they have done more good than bad. And I have a feeling that a lot of this animosity has to do more with CW than DP...
Bashing DP is sorta like bashing APA for making money off of its members, it doesn't make any sense. They are a business, and they have done more good than bad. And I have a feeling that a lot of this animosity has to do more with CW than DP...
Yen Makabenta's AzB Front Page article:
(Note: The blue highlighted are the requirements for doing online gaming. The green colored texts is the order of battle for this year. The to-do list.
Creating the World Pool Tour
THE recent success of the World 8-Ball Championship in Fujairah, UAE underscores yet again the dynamic expansion of pool worldwide. In the Middle East, of all places, pool is taking root. The prize fund was enticing, and the event well-run. More than just the high number of players in the main draw, many more went to Fujairah to qualify. The event proved the adage that “if you build it, they will come.”
This – combined with other events in the world pool calendar – has set some minds thinking about the establishment of a World Pool Tour to finally give our sport its due. The tour will gather together major tournaments around the world under a common platform that would enable all promoters and organizations to benefit from greater international sponsorship and fan support.
The way I see it, there are now about five or six major tournaments around the world worthy of being included in the WPT. Among these are the three world championships sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association – for eight ball, nine ball and ten ball. Add to this the venerable US Open 9-Ball Championship under Barry Behrman and the All-Japan Championship, and that’s five immediately.
So it’s just a matter of finding or inventing five other notable events.
Chinese-Taipei, by reason of the high quality of its players, should have an open listed in the Tour. Perhaps its annual invitational Supercup can finally mutate into an open and global tournament.
Europe should be represented by at least one major event, perhaps even two, considering that there are over 30 countries active in the European Pocket Billiards Federation (EPBF). Certainly, England and Germany should be prime sites for Europe’s contribution considering they are home to the reigning world 8-ball and 9-ball champions.
The Doha 9-Ball Open Championship, which debuts this coming June, could evolve into a major. It has the prize fund ($200,000, and $40,000 first-place money) and the TV coverage (Al Jazeera Sports Channel). The only thing to be proven is whether they can attract the fans and the players.
The Philippines can contribute its own Philippine Ten Ball Open, which will be in addition to the annual World Ten Ball Championship. The Open will make its debut in January or February next year. The prize fund will be $150,000, with first place money at least $25,000.
And then there is China. Sooner or later, the giant will awake to the possibilities, and it would be nice if it awakes by next year to contribute a huge pool event.
In my discussions with WPA officials and pool leaders, including WPA president Ian Anderson, we generally agree that there should be certain criteria for an event to be considered a major. Among the proposed criteria:
1. Global Representation and Significance – a WPT event must have worldwide significance in the sense that it is open and participated in by top players from around the world.
2. Substantial prizemoney – a WPT event must meet a threshold in terms of prize fund. The minimum prize fund should be at least $150,000 and first place money should at least be $25,000.
3. TV coverage – a WPT event must be televised not just to a national audience, but to a global one.
The events in the WPT will then become the basis for the annual world pool rankings. To be eligible for ranking, a player must play a required number of events in the tour. As things stand now, the present WPA world rankings, which curiously lists Dennis Orcullo of the Philippines as No. 1, are a little capricious and uneven. Most players don’t play enough of the listed events to contend for No. 1.
The WPA is ideal to lead in the realization of a world pool tour for several good reasons. First, it is the world’s governing body for pool, i.e. it sets the rules, sanctions events, and brings our global pool family together.
Second, it has both the credibility and the clout to deal with the continental federations, billiards manufacturers and promoters.
And third, it can serve as the ideal guardian of the rankings. It will award and tabulate the points, and officially announce the world’s No. 1 player at the end of the year.
From my discussions with Ian, I sensed that the WPA may be ready to lead us to this grail. He says the idea has been kicked around within the organization and various ideas for making it happen have been offered.
To really get things going, I suggest to the WPA the following practical moves:
1. Set 2009 as the target for launching the WPT.
2. Establish 8 to 10 events as the threshold for establishing the tour.
3. Invite suggestions from the federations and associations on what and how they can participate and contribute to the tour.
4. Establish the WPT Tour Card
5. Initiate discussions with possible sponsors to get an idea of what they’re looking for and what pool must provide.
I personally believe that pool has reached the tipping point for reaching the big time. Before the global economic slowdown, I thought it was already a given – just a matter of matching nuts and bolts. With the slowdown and nervousness, it’s going to be much harder work, but attainable nonetheless. The global economy seems to be on the mend and should by all odds be back in business by 2009. So next year could be just about right for the global bow of the World Pool Tour.
How about it, ladies and gentlemen of the WPA?
(Note: The blue highlighted are the requirements for doing online gaming. The green colored texts is the order of battle for this year. The to-do list.
Creating the World Pool Tour
THE recent success of the World 8-Ball Championship in Fujairah, UAE underscores yet again the dynamic expansion of pool worldwide. In the Middle East, of all places, pool is taking root. The prize fund was enticing, and the event well-run. More than just the high number of players in the main draw, many more went to Fujairah to qualify. The event proved the adage that “if you build it, they will come.”
This – combined with other events in the world pool calendar – has set some minds thinking about the establishment of a World Pool Tour to finally give our sport its due. The tour will gather together major tournaments around the world under a common platform that would enable all promoters and organizations to benefit from greater international sponsorship and fan support.
The way I see it, there are now about five or six major tournaments around the world worthy of being included in the WPT. Among these are the three world championships sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association – for eight ball, nine ball and ten ball. Add to this the venerable US Open 9-Ball Championship under Barry Behrman and the All-Japan Championship, and that’s five immediately.
So it’s just a matter of finding or inventing five other notable events.
Chinese-Taipei, by reason of the high quality of its players, should have an open listed in the Tour. Perhaps its annual invitational Supercup can finally mutate into an open and global tournament.
Europe should be represented by at least one major event, perhaps even two, considering that there are over 30 countries active in the European Pocket Billiards Federation (EPBF). Certainly, England and Germany should be prime sites for Europe’s contribution considering they are home to the reigning world 8-ball and 9-ball champions.
The Doha 9-Ball Open Championship, which debuts this coming June, could evolve into a major. It has the prize fund ($200,000, and $40,000 first-place money) and the TV coverage (Al Jazeera Sports Channel). The only thing to be proven is whether they can attract the fans and the players.
The Philippines can contribute its own Philippine Ten Ball Open, which will be in addition to the annual World Ten Ball Championship. The Open will make its debut in January or February next year. The prize fund will be $150,000, with first place money at least $25,000.
And then there is China. Sooner or later, the giant will awake to the possibilities, and it would be nice if it awakes by next year to contribute a huge pool event.
In my discussions with WPA officials and pool leaders, including WPA president Ian Anderson, we generally agree that there should be certain criteria for an event to be considered a major. Among the proposed criteria:
1. Global Representation and Significance – a WPT event must have worldwide significance in the sense that it is open and participated in by top players from around the world.
2. Substantial prizemoney – a WPT event must meet a threshold in terms of prize fund. The minimum prize fund should be at least $150,000 and first place money should at least be $25,000.
3. TV coverage – a WPT event must be televised not just to a national audience, but to a global one.
The events in the WPT will then become the basis for the annual world pool rankings. To be eligible for ranking, a player must play a required number of events in the tour. As things stand now, the present WPA world rankings, which curiously lists Dennis Orcullo of the Philippines as No. 1, are a little capricious and uneven. Most players don’t play enough of the listed events to contend for No. 1.
The WPA is ideal to lead in the realization of a world pool tour for several good reasons. First, it is the world’s governing body for pool, i.e. it sets the rules, sanctions events, and brings our global pool family together.
Second, it has both the credibility and the clout to deal with the continental federations, billiards manufacturers and promoters.
And third, it can serve as the ideal guardian of the rankings. It will award and tabulate the points, and officially announce the world’s No. 1 player at the end of the year.
From my discussions with Ian, I sensed that the WPA may be ready to lead us to this grail. He says the idea has been kicked around within the organization and various ideas for making it happen have been offered.
To really get things going, I suggest to the WPA the following practical moves:
1. Set 2009 as the target for launching the WPT.
2. Establish 8 to 10 events as the threshold for establishing the tour.
3. Invite suggestions from the federations and associations on what and how they can participate and contribute to the tour.
4. Establish the WPT Tour Card
5. Initiate discussions with possible sponsors to get an idea of what they’re looking for and what pool must provide.
I personally believe that pool has reached the tipping point for reaching the big time. Before the global economic slowdown, I thought it was already a given – just a matter of matching nuts and bolts. With the slowdown and nervousness, it’s going to be much harder work, but attainable nonetheless. The global economy seems to be on the mend and should by all odds be back in business by 2009. So next year could be just about right for the global bow of the World Pool Tour.
How about it, ladies and gentlemen of the WPA?
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I doubt it Johnnyt. The wiser move is to help WPBA strengthen its org.
Actually, the way I read the WPA statement, they seem to realize that they got carried away with the arrogance that the BSCP had infected them with in the WTBC. The statement is tenderly worded now compared to the previous arrogant authority that was desperately enforced.
Fan sympathy for the WPA tends to attract conservative and traditional attitudes. The other fan faction looks at it from the organizer's point of view, appealing to radical attitudes that want to correct what is not correct. This whole new issue here in the forum is a matter of perspective, but momentum in the real world has started to knock down fences.
How about taking the perspective of DP... shall it be loyal to WPA, whose truncheon continues to rattle on every iron bar of every cell among an unhappy captive constituency? Or shall it be smart enough to align with an undercurrent among other international PROFESSIONAL organizers who are now seeking freedom in laying down a secured future?
And then there is the perspective that everyone forgets about, belonging to the professional player. How can the pro benefit from the WPA? How does he benefit from the international PROFESSIONAL promoters? Hands down, he will go where the creation of prized tournaments are. The new trend of care in handling professional players now punctuate loyalties.
Finally, there is the perspective of the timid organizations, whose nose rings are tied on to the WPA office door where the rest of its herd awaits malt and barley. Only apathy to the whims of the amateur country representatives keeps them from going on a stampede to progress.
We are currently seeing for ourselves a transformation in international PROFESSIONAL pool. You are witnessing history unfold, and I do not think any kind of statement can again assimilate amateur and professional now. An obvious line has been drawn from expectations in authority that had fallen short of satisfactory.
There is no need to look back now to how and why this and that happened. The future brings urgent priorities, and WPA has lost its place at the top of the list -- at least among the movers of professional pool. Pretty soon, the professional transactions in the WPA will be as quiet as how Alcatraz is now because their truncheons will frighten no one. That is my prediction.
Fan sympathy for the WPA tends to attract conservative and traditional attitudes. The other fan faction looks at it from the organizer's point of view, appealing to radical attitudes that want to correct what is not correct. This whole new issue here in the forum is a matter of perspective, but momentum in the real world has started to knock down fences.
How about taking the perspective of DP... shall it be loyal to WPA, whose truncheon continues to rattle on every iron bar of every cell among an unhappy captive constituency? Or shall it be smart enough to align with an undercurrent among other international PROFESSIONAL organizers who are now seeking freedom in laying down a secured future?
And then there is the perspective that everyone forgets about, belonging to the professional player. How can the pro benefit from the WPA? How does he benefit from the international PROFESSIONAL promoters? Hands down, he will go where the creation of prized tournaments are. The new trend of care in handling professional players now punctuate loyalties.
Finally, there is the perspective of the timid organizations, whose nose rings are tied on to the WPA office door where the rest of its herd awaits malt and barley. Only apathy to the whims of the amateur country representatives keeps them from going on a stampede to progress.
We are currently seeing for ourselves a transformation in international PROFESSIONAL pool. You are witnessing history unfold, and I do not think any kind of statement can again assimilate amateur and professional now. An obvious line has been drawn from expectations in authority that had fallen short of satisfactory.
There is no need to look back now to how and why this and that happened. The future brings urgent priorities, and WPA has lost its place at the top of the list -- at least among the movers of professional pool. Pretty soon, the professional transactions in the WPA will be as quiet as how Alcatraz is now because their truncheons will frighten no one. That is my prediction.
sjm is correct! I was there too, and lost a side bet with John Morra, on that match! 
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
sjm said:
Thank you, sir.
My memory isn't what it used to be and with each passing yr, details of things in the past become fuzzy.
I recalled Mr. VB doing well in that tournament and that he was able to p/u the BCAPL as a sponsor. I think the positives that came his way from that tournament coupled with "old age induced fuzzy details" is what misled me.
Jeanette, really?
I haven't been following all of this but why does DP promotions have a negative feel to it in general over the past couple of years?
Thank you, sir.
My memory isn't what it used to be and with each passing yr, details of things in the past become fuzzy.
I recalled Mr. VB doing well in that tournament and that he was able to p/u the BCAPL as a sponsor. I think the positives that came his way from that tournament coupled with "old age induced fuzzy details" is what misled me.
No biggie. Actually, it sounds like you remember most of what happened that week, for it was a coming out party for Shane in many ways. Just four months later, he won the US Open 9-ball title.
watchez said:
I don't generally follow much outside of men's pool in the US but it seems that when I have come across info on a women's DP Asian event, the only american women I recall noticing in the event was JL, and I think Jennifer Baretta went to an event. I'm sure a couple of more through the yrs have made it to one or two events.
I would venture a guess that outside of Shanelle, the only other american you might see in the event is JL. I've never really noticed americans participating in events outside of the US (except for a couple of world events) and with the economy the way it is, the nut to cover expenses for this trip might prove to be too much for most right now.
As for the DP negativity, I believe some of it is personality driven and most of it is driven by "strong arm tactics". CW has a personality that a lot of people find difficult to like or get along with. He's an elitist that does more selfishly than selflessly. It's not a crime and to each their own, but those kind of traits are difficult for most to overlook.
When CW was running the UPA, they were the only men's "tour" and they used that against a lot of promoters. Much like the current controversy, it didn't matter to CW if someone else was having an event or not. If he wanted to hold an event on a certain date, he did. He knew that his event would draw more people because the pros were going to have to go to his event (in order to maintain their UPA points ranking) and the other promoter wouldn't be able to get the player draw which would lessen the gate draw. Things like that. I recall seeing threads in yrs past by some promoters that dared to speak out publicly.
Just to clarify to all....
WPA is the World Pool/Billiards Assoc.
WPBA is the Women's Pro Billiards Assoc.
This thread deals with the WPA and DP. Nothing to do with the WPBA!!!
Melissa
Thank you for clarifying for the viewers' benefit. I should have stuck the full name of the org when I replied to johnnyt's post. I'm sure that he wasn't referring to the Women's PBA as the struggling org.
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if the philippines event draws the likes of Fisher, Fisher, JLee, Webb, Ouschan, Cha, Corr, and local talents like Ranola and Amit among the other players that will be a tough field. i wouldnt call that a "joke" field
I got the feeling they will still draw those players. where else do those girls have to goto play? the events in asia for women in general are very few and not very good. Korea, Japan barely have any events for women with any significant money and hardly of those countries have much international events drawing western players
.
only the WPBA seem to be able to draw a decent portion of international players. and we all know they are struggling with only 5 events.
If the other asians join will be even tougher. if they dont, i think they'll be missing out.
I got the feeling they will still draw those players. where else do those girls have to goto play? the events in asia for women in general are very few and not very good. Korea, Japan barely have any events for women with any significant money and hardly of those countries have much international events drawing western players
.
only the WPBA seem to be able to draw a decent portion of international players. and we all know they are struggling with only 5 events.
If the other asians join will be even tougher. if they dont, i think they'll be missing out.