Yapp banned from WPA tournament?

The rights of athletes in many sports are being denied opportunities.

In light of the March on Washington anniversary in America, a new generation of people are marching forward and sharing their struggles.

Instead of celebrating assassinations I am choosing to celebrate the birth of a movement.

There is a clear need for better policy making inside of sports federations. However, the only reform sports federations will make is when sanctioning bodies, the WPA demand it.

The main problem being a WPA license is a unique identifier that regulates all billiard activity by a player. This becomes a problem because different federations enforce and penalize players differently.

The WPA can now say federations will now follow a player-federation protocol to ensure players are supported and educated on their events. The WPA has always been a believer of calendar protection, they can extend that standard to players.

Players should have calendar protection includes insurance and reimbursement for sanctioned and supported travel.

An alternative, federations sponsor visas to allow a cultural exchange for players. Suppose a few players are on vacation/retired and want to compete outside their citizenship federation, can they create a temporary license. The purpose of the temporary license is for immigration officials to register pool athletes in a new category. A displaced athlete that would like to represent their home federation but can't because their home federation is under construction.

The wishlist item for the WPA is: TSA approved pool luggage carry on.
Interational travel with pool equipment needs WPA involvement. Airlines are not educated on pool equipment luggage and it is a policy that can be fixed with some partnership. TSA approved pool luggage carry on.
 
Last edited:
looking at the field they are obviously not excluding MR event players. the policy itself is disturbing ofc. if it comes to that i hope MR goes the other direction in response. no stick, just add more incentives for asian players. the Efren Reyes cup, for example
 
It is sadly ironic that WPA brings the ACBS in as the regional governing body for pool and it takes less than 12 months for some pool players to get suspended for something snooker promoters did.

IMG_3870.jpeg
 
The WCBS, WPA, and BCA for that matter, are the problem. All three of those institutions have had ample time and opportunity to grow the game, but the results, or lack there of, speak volumes. Now all those institutions are doing whatever they can to protect their turf, which is about their own wallets, not the game or the players.
 
Is there anyway those players can transfer to another federation?

How do federations feel about overseas foreign workers?
 
kris said:
Not directly related to Singaporean players situation, but kind of "interesting" view..

‘Players can’t earn a living’ – EPBF board member criticises World Nineball Tour model​

absolute-pool.com

‘Players can’t earn a living’ – EPBF board member criticises World Nineball Tour model

European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) board member David Morris has expressed his concerns regarding the World Nineball Tour model.
absolute-pool.com absolute-pool.com

Best,
Kris
Click to expand...

That’s a good interview and at least he doesn’t plan on banning players who compete in Matchroom events. I suppose it is a dilemma for European professionals if they will lose their government subsidies by competing in Matchroom events instead of WPA events.

It seems silly from a US perspective that governments would spend money funding pool players under the guise of Olympic hopes (2036 is the next possible year for billiards), but any money in the sport is probably a good thing regardless of its source or political intentions.
 
kling&allen said:
.... It seems silly from a US perspective that governments would spend money funding pool players under the guise of Olympic hopes (2036 is the next possible year for billiards), but any money in the sport is probably a good thing regardless of its source or political intentions.
Click to expand...
I don't think the goal for those countries is necessarily Olympic participation for cue sports. I think those countries feel it is useful to support athletic activities and especially elite athletes, and the government spends money in those areas. In the US, I think that support is only through the USOC and only for Olympic Games events.
 
kling&allen said:
That’s a good interview and at least he doesn’t plan on banning players who compete in Matchroom events. I suppose it is a dilemma for European professionals if they will lose their government subsidies by competing in Matchroom events instead of WPA events.

It seems silly from a US perspective that governments would spend money funding pool players under the guise of Olympic hopes (2036 is the next possible year for billiards), but any money in the sport is probably a good thing regardless of its source or political intentions.
Click to expand...

I think that's very relevant.

Worst case scenario is that the ACBS decides to control pool in Asia and decides to tell APP/APF and Matchroom that they need to sanction their Asia events with WPA and subject them to WPA/ACBS rulings (like the Singapore ban).

And then if Matchroom doesn't they warn Asian players that playing in APP/APF or Matchroom events will result in a ban for those players in ACBS affiliated events. And the possibility of that happening could increase in the future if we see a scheduling conflict between an ACBS affiliated billiards event (like the SEA Games or something else) and a Matchroom affiliated event.

Granted the recent "don't play in that event" warning we've seen from ACBS was from competing sanctioned and non-sanctioned snooker world championships so hopefully it doesn't come to bear. We did see the EPBF had that "you may be punished for selecting non-sanctioned events over sanctioned events" in their player agreements. In that interview indicated they don't intend to leverage it but did feel it's existence was necessary to protect themselves. I am inclined to trust them on that. But I'm feeling less trusting of the ACBS based on this suspension of Singapore pool players due to what's happening in Snooker.

The exact same battle we see waging between the IBSF and the WPBSA in snooker is now mirrored in pool between the WPA and the WPNPC. It's probably just a matter of time before WPA chooses to not renew Matchroom's contract for the world championship. When that day comes, Matchroom will likely hold it's own world championship and truly recreate these events. And here we have the ACBS in place to give WPA some teeth in Asia to present a stronger front worldwide.

While long term I think that's where this is all headed, what I said at the beginning as a worst case scenario could spark that same outcome sooner if certain cards are played early. Hopefully ACBS doesn't nose in on the Matchroom Asian Open, TE Capital APP 9-ball Open, or the Chinese Taipei 9-ball Open. I think it's a possibility they could given their WPA recognition is new and this is an opportunity for them to shore up their control in the region.
 
These are some of the ACBS members:
1) China
2) China-Macau
3) China-Hong Kong
4) Chinese Taipei

(I thought America had political issues. Is it possible to call USA-Mexico, USA-Cuba, USA-Canada and USA-Alaska?)

ACBS is well represented by many officials from China. What is unclear is how much influence certain members exercise on ad hoc committees.

China has been very successful in developing pro billiard athletes. Does China already have its own hall of fame for billiard pros?

Since 2001, ACBS has restructured itself to be run by an Executive Board, with other Board Members represented by its four regional federations. In addition, there are ad hoc committees created such as one devoted to organising the multi-sport events.
Click to expand...
 
justnum said:
The rights of athletes in many sports are being denied opportunities.

In light of the March on Washington anniversary in America, a new generation of people are marching forward and sharing their struggles.

Instead of celebrating assassinations I am choosing to celebrate the birth of a movement.

There is a clear need for better policy making inside of sports federations. However, the only reform sports federations will make is when sanctioning bodies, the WPA demand it.

The main problem being a WPA license is a unique identifier that regulates all billiard activity by a player. This becomes a problem because different federations enforce and penalize players differently.

The WPA can now say federations will now follow a player-federation protocol to ensure players are supported and educated on their events. The WPA has always been a believer of calendar protection, they can extend that standard to players.

Players should have calendar protection includes insurance and reimbursement for sanctioned and supported travel.

An alternative, federations sponsor visas to allow a cultural exchange for players. Suppose a few players are on vacation/retired and want to compete outside their citizenship federation, can they create a temporary license. The purpose of the temporary license is for immigration officials to register pool athletes in a new category. A displaced athlete that would like to represent their home federation but can't because their home federation is under construction.

The wishlist item for the WPA is: TSA approved pool luggage carry on.
Interational travel with pool equipment needs WPA involvement. Airlines are not educated on pool equipment luggage and it is a policy that can be fixed with some partnership. TSA approved pool luggage carry on.
Click to expand...
Unlike academia, there isn't a captive income source.

There also is no singularly recognized governing body.

You've put the proverbial cart before the horse and tsa SQUIRREL!
 
Black-Balled said:
Unlike academia, there isn't a captive income source.

There also is no singularly recognized governing body.

You've put the proverbial cart before the horse and tsa SQUIRREL!
Click to expand...

Its a writing technique to mix in the serious with the creative.

TSA approved pool luggage sponsored by the WPA, I thought would hit comically.

The serious message was saying that pool players have rights and dreams. I am referencing civil rights in the context of individuals experiencing authoritarian bans with no reason.

Foreign governments hold the money of the people, everyone is equal in certain ideologies.

ACBS agreed to represent pool players. It is noted through olympic history and IOC involvement that corruption exists by players and officials. ACBS also represents the member countries.

WCBS and WPA are turning a blind eye to the mismanagement of ACBS officials because there is no administrative oversight or court arbitration.

WCBS is recognized by the IOC but does not uphold all standards. Arbitration, ethics and compliance are mechanisms pool players should be able to access. However in pool the only legal standing pool players have is on the receiving end of a ban, without notice or warning.
 
Bob Jewett said:
I don't think the goal for those countries is necessarily Olympic participation for cue sports. I think those countries feel it is useful to support athletic activities and especially elite athletes, and the government spends money in those areas. In the US, I think that support is only through the USOC and only for Olympic Games events.
Click to expand...

One argument the WPA (WCBS) had made is that they need IOC association for these various countries to sponsor athletes, which is why the WPA requires expensive WADA drug testing. After the Appleton testing incident a couple years ago, this was the WPA’s main response.

I of course don’t know the truth or anything about these politics. It’s a lot of bureaucracy for a very small sport.
 
justnum said:
These are some of the ACBS members:
1) China
2) China-Macau
3) China-Hong Kong
4) Chinese Taipei

(I thought America had political issues. Is it possible to call USA-Mexico, USA-Cuba, USA-Canada and USA-Alaska?)

ACBS is well represented by many officials from China. What is unclear is how much influence certain members exercise on ad hoc committees.

China has been very successful in developing pro billiard athletes. Does China already have its own hall of fame for billiard pros?
Click to expand...

Hard to say. But the ACBS president and official office address is in Qatar. The treasurer is from Hong Kong. Otherwise all the ACBS board members are non-Chinese.
 
So the snooker with Ronnie and the Crucible is the MR snooker? And the snooker with the Olympic/govt subsidies is the other tour? And they each have their “world championship”? Is that about right? Do the Ronnie’s play in both or only the MR events?

In pool, right now WPA sanctions MR’s world championship. If that sanction disappears, then MR would probably continue and have their own “world championship” and WPA would have one also. I can definitely see WPA pulling MR’s sanction and giving it back to “boring as all hell promoters” in Qatar.

I personally think these player bans are ridiculous. All of them. I remember when Jasmin was the hottest player around in 2005 and she got banned for a year or so. The carom players have their own web of bans. And now snooker bans causing pool bans.

As bad as the IPT was, he didn’t ban anyone. MR isn’t banning anyone. The European confederation (according to the linked interview above) isn’t banning anyone. That’s the way it should be.

I wonder if the players can sue all these organizations for limiting their right to work and earn. The juice wouldn’t be worth the squeeze of course.
 
MattPoland said:
Hard to say. But the ACBS president and official office address is in Qatar. The treasurer is from Hong Kong. Otherwise all the ACBS board members are non-Chinese.
Click to expand...

Its unusual a federation accepts one country multiple times. The ACBS site says they are following a board member format.

In the board format each member given one vote. Philippines gets one vote, but China is a member four times with four different votes and four officials.

The face of the organization is one power. The power of voting members is another.

This is a clear case of override powers are being exercised.

If ACBS leadership cant manage its own members, then WCBS and WPA guidelines and protocols have to be applied.

At this point players cant appeal or submit a complaint because the power structure is written so they don't have any.

The threshold for a country to sponsor pro pool varies greatly.

This ban is concerning because multisport billiard events are growing. If licensed players receive bans for cross sport promotion, then its outdated legal language.

New regulations for multisport participation should be controlled by WCBS not player federations. WCBS manages the sport, create exemptions for multisport promotions.

WCBS has sanctioned events, how about sanctioned exhibitions or appearances?

If a player has a license and is granted sanctioning to appear then WCBS privileges overrule federation calls.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top