ABU DHABI // Sir Rodney Walker, the chairman of World Snooker, yesterday said he would welcome further discussions with Dubai about staging the sport's biggest tournament in 2011. The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield has hosted the world championship since 1977, but the governing body's contract with the English city is due to expire after next year's event.
China, where snooker is played by an estimated 50million people, and the Emirates are both interested in staging the 17-day competition. Walker concedes sponsorship, the popularity among players of such a move and the game's established TV contract with the BBC would be the main stumbling blocks to carrying the tournament away from its traditional UK home. "There has been an interest expressed from the Emirates and, indeed, from China," said Walker. "At the moment, we are waiting on a follow-up from the Emirates to that provisional enquiry which was made a few months ago.
"They asked us if we would consider moving the world championships away from the UK. China has been well known to have expressed their interest for a year or two. I'm due to meet Sheffield City council again next week. They are fighting hard to make sure the event isn't lost to the Crucible." The UAE has not hosted a world- ranking event since the demise of the Dubai Duty Free Classic in 1994 but is looking to revive the interest in the sport. This year's world championship begins on Saturday morning. dkane@thenational.ae
