Wu, WCTB, Citizenship, and the Qualifiers.

[Celtic]

I can completely understand how Wu is not elligible for a spot in the WCTB as a representative of a country. He left Taiwan and moved to Singapore and is now waiting on citizenship there that will again allow him to earn a representative spot in the tournament. He could not take a spot from a Taiwanese player and it would not be right to take a spot from a Singaporean.

What I don't understand is why Wu or anyone else not capable of representing a country cannot compete in the qualifiers and WIN one of the extra spots that was NOT allocated for any specific country at all. These spots are bonuses to any country lucky enough to have a player play for that country and qualify.

While Wu cannot take an allocated spot from a Singaporean as a non-citizen I fail to see why he cannot compete in the qualifiers for one of the BONUS spots, win, and then declare a country he wishes to represent since HE WON the bloody spot.

It seems a shame to have one of the best players on the planet out of proffessional level pool for YEARS because he is in some goofy citizenship limbo. Let the guy qualify for the events through the qualifiers at least, he should have every bit as much right to try and qualify that way as the hundred of other guys who were NOT picked by their countries organizing bodies to compete in the event.

I would love to here the justification of this decision from Raya Sports or the World Pool-Billiards Association why this is being done like this. Pool is NOT a team sport, it is at it's heart singles competition. The USA did not win a ton of straight pool titles in a row in the 40's and 50's, a man named Mosconi did and he just happend to be from the USA. This is an individual competition, it will always be at it's heart an individual competition, and you are purposely banning an individual and former champion from competing.

 

[JB Cases]

I don't know either. But I think it has to do with following Olympic guidelines on the subject of eligibility. I think it's silly to follow the Olympic rules for WPA events as they are just tournaments after all.

 

[juegabillar]

I can completely understand how Wu is not elligible for a spot in the WCTB as a representative of a country. He left Taiwan and moved to Singapore and is now waiting on citizenship there that will again allow him to earn a representative spot in the tournament. He could not take a spot from a Taiwanese player and it would not be right to take a spot from a Singaporean.

What I don't understand is why Wu or anyone else not capable of representing a country cannot compete in the qualifiers and WIN one of the extra spots that was NOT allocated for any specific country at all. These spots are bonuses to any country lucky enough to have a player play for that country and qualify.

While Wu cannot take an allocated spot from a Singaporean as a non-citizen I fail to see why he cannot compete in the qualifiers for one of the BONUS spots, win, and then declare a country he wishes to represent since HE WON the bloody spot.

It seems a shame to have one of the best players on the planet out of proffessional level pool for YEARS because he is in some goofy citizenship limbo. Let the guy qualify for the events through the qualifiers at least, he should have every bit as much right to try and qualify that way as the hundred of other guys who were NOT picked by their countries organizing bodies to compete in the event.

I would love to here the justification of this decision from Raya Sports or the World Pool-Billiards Association why this is being done like this. Pool is NOT a team sport, it is at it's heart singles competition. The USA did not win a ton of straight pool titles in a row in the 40's and 50's, a man named Mosconi did and he just happend to be from the USA. This is an individual competition, it will always be at it's heart an individual competition, and you are purposely banning an individual and former champion from competing.

Several things could be happening with Wu. He could have been suspended by his country's Federation, and/or he has elected to no longer represent his own country. As a matter of principle's he could rather wait to obtain his new citizenship and then represent his new country, than play for the country that is not letting him earn a decent living.

While I understand that certain guidelines govern Regional Federations about representation and membership, I do not vouch for the "prohibitions" some countries want to ascertain to their players, particularly if it has a huge potential of inflicting financial hardship or reputational harm to the players. I would certainly send the Federation "to hell" and patiently wait for my time to come.

 

[nathandumoulin]

What I don't understand is why Wu or anyone else not capable of representing a country cannot compete in the qualifiers and WIN one of the extra spots that was NOT allocated for any specific country at all.

A very interesting post. I don't have anything wise to add to your post, but I do want to thank you for giving me something interesting to think about.

+ Rep

 

[jay helfert]

My understanding is that right now Wu is a man without a country. He will be eligible to compete in WPA sanctioned events next year. For better or worse, professional pool on an international level must have a governing body. Otherwise it will never be a recognized sport. The WPA is that body at this time. I have not always been in agreement with all their decisions but accept that they are important part of the pool fabric.

Like many others I would have loved to see Wu play in the WTBC this week. But he knew what was up when he made the decision to leave Taiwan for Singapore. He's still very young and has a lot more pool in him. The good news is that many of the filipino champions are playing this week. Many of whom were unable to play last year. It's a very strong field!

 

[Celtic]

I don't know either. But I think it has to do with following Olympic guidelines on the subject of eligibility. I think it's silly to follow the Olympic rules for WPA events as they are just tournaments after all.

If it is as simple as catering to olympic guidelines they need to get their heads checked because pool being a sport in the olympics is pipe dream, it is NOT going to happen.

This sport is slipping in popularity more every year, we lose the world 9-ball championships for multiple years, and now those in charge think it is fine to have things in place that oust a pre-20 year old phenom 2 time world champion that brought some added excitement and interest to the sport?

 

[Celtic]

Like many others I would have loved to see Wu play in the WTBC this week. But he knew what was up when he made the decision to leave Taiwan for Singapore.

The point is Jay, and it is an important one, is that professional pool players in ANY country should NOT be chained to that country forced to remain in that country as an indentured servant under the threat of losing their ability to support themselves.

What the rules do is force players to submit to the wills of their nation and give them little ability to make choices for themselves in their own lives for them AND their family, under the threat of losing their ability to sustaine themselves in their professional because the World Pool and Billiards Association has in place the guideline that a player must be a citizen of a country to compete in these events. This type of thing CAN be abused by countries, and it would seem that Wu has paid greatly for these idiotic guidelines put out by the governing body.

Yes they are the rule makers, and in this instance they need to get this changed because it is flat out wrong to force a person to remain in a specific country under the threat of being unable to continue in their livelyhood.

 

[crosseyedjoe]

If it is as simple as catering to olympic guidelines they need to get their heads checked because pool being a sport in the olympics is pipe dream, it is NOT going to happen.

This sport is slipping in popularity more every year, we lose the world 9-ball championships for multiple years, and now those in charge think it is fine to have things in place that oust a pre-20 year old phenom 2 time world champion that brought some added excitement and interest to the sport?

On the contrary, I think what you want is what lead the spiraling downward popularity of pool. WPA is approaching the whole thing differently. Gone is the mantra of it is just another pool tournament. They wanted a true international event, and they are doing a good job. It is reported that 40 countries are participating.

I wouldn't be surprised, if things run smoothly and the African continent start sending contingents, that later on regional allotments will be enforced. As more and more countries start participating, the more important the role of their Olympics representing body becomes.

Yes, to WPA, the 10-Ball Championship is not like any other run on the mill tournament.

You never know, pool might become another football/soccer story where its decline the USA was met by upsurge in the rest of the world.

 

[Celtic]

It is reported that 40 countries are participating.

People from 40 different countries are participating.

Not once did I say that the countries should not have representatives. I said SPECIFICALLY that Wu should be allow to play in the qualifiers for the EXTRA spots that are not delegated to any individual country. Or did you MISS what I actually said and think that I stated countries should not have representatives at all? I did not.

 

[crosseyedjoe]

People from 40 different countries are participating.

Not once did I say that the countries should not have representatives. I said SPECIFICALLY that Wu should be allow to play in the qualifiers for the EXTRA spots that are not delegated to any individual country. Or did you MISS what I actually said and think that I stated countries should not have representatives at all? I did not.

No you can't get in. You need a country to represent because like I said, it's not just any other tournament. Wu is no longer part of the Taiwan federation, and not yet eligible to play for Singapore. He has no country that can sanction his participation to be an official representative. You also need to put his case in context, he is playing in a region where pool is officially included in the Asian Olympics. His participation is more than just entering a tournament.

The bottom line is that he needs a country to represent.

BTW, pool is not the only fringe sport that uses the Olympics eligibility rule. Rodeo world championship also follows the same.

 

[FASTEJ]

This should clear it up!!!

If you look at the requirements for the qualifier application, it says that any player must be in good standing with their federation.

Wu is part of the APBU and is not in good standing with them, primarily because from what I understand, the APBU's officers are mainly Tapei and are not very happy about his actions.

Just to repeat what was said earlier, it seems that Wu will indeed be able to play next year for Singapore.

ED

 

[crosseyedjoe]

If you look at the requirements for the qualifier application, it says that any player must be in good standing with their federation.

Wu is part of the APBU and is not in good standing with them, primarily because from what I understand, the APBU's officers are mainly Tapei and are not very happy about his actions.

Just to repeat what was said earlier, it seems that Wu will indeed be able to play next year for Singapore.

ED

I just think there are probably some other rules in effect. Remember that the Asian 9-Ball tournament is around the corner which also follows the Olympics eligibility rule. One rule I can think of is the grace period before you can represent a different country. I believe it is 3 years.