WPBSA & IBSF agree global strategy for international snooker

The two main governing bodies of international snooker, the WPBSA & the IBSF, have agreed to further terms on improving the international development of the sport, with the aim to one day get it in to the Olympic Games.

Here is the original press release released today on the World Snooker website:

At the meeting in Sheffield it was agreed that the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) and the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) would work jointly on the international development of the sport, through multi-sport events such as the World Games and Asian Games and perhaps even one day the Olympic Games. Snooker is already guaranteed to be a participation sport at the World Games in Columbia in July 2013, with 16 players from a minimum of 12 countries to play for gold, silver and bronze medals.

The strategy is intended to generate increased interest in the sport of snooker and unlock funding around the world to develop the sport through National Governing Bodies. 

The WPBSA already works with National Governing Bodies engaged with the International Olympic Committee. Working jointly with the WCBS will allow the World Snooker Tour to be recognized as a world sport in the eyes of the IOC.

WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson said: "Snooker has progressed massively in recent years and this new agreement will open doors for us in new key markets to expand our sport. 

"I would like to thank to members of the WCBS for their support and faith in the WPBSA as we strengthen our presence as one of the world's major sports.

"I believe that one day snooker will be an Olympic sport. Many sports receive substantial funding from the IOC to assist growth and increase participation. I'm very excited about what the future holds for snooker and the potential to pave a new way ahead."

Jim Leacy, President of the IBSF, said: "We are delighted to be working hand in hand with the WPBSA and this has given snooker at both professional and amateur levels the opportunity to strive for greater things."

Personally I am thrilled to hear of this news, especially after World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn told me last year that he personally had "no interest whatsover" in attempting to bring snooker to the Olympic Games in the future.

Compared to other sports that are already part of the Olympic programme (water polo and artistic gymnastics spring to mind), I believe snooker is more popular in terms of people playing it and also in regards to the interest it receives from broadcasters around the world.

I wish the folks at the WPBSA and the IBSF good luck in their endavours as it won't be an easy progress. But to have a plan going forward and a clear idea of what they want to do is a step in the right direction and I eagerly await the results in the next few years.

Would you like to see snooker in the Olympic Games or even just the Commonwealth Games? Give me your thoughts in the comments form below