Wuhan to play host as world snooker returns to China

SHANGHAI (AFP): The World Snooker Tour hailed the “momentous announcement” of three tournaments in China this year, including one in Wuhan, as the return of international sport to the country gathers pace.

Almost all international sports events were cancelled in China after Covid emerged in Wuhan in late 2019, and they are only just returning after travel curbs were lifted.

The World Snooker Tour will stage the first professional snooker tournament in mainland China in four years with the showpiece Shanghai Masters on September 11-17, the WST said. That will be followed by the Wuhan Open on October 9-15 and the International Championship in November at a Chinese city yet to be confirmed.

Total prize money for three events combined will be more than £2 million ($2.5 million). “This is a momentous announcement for our sport as we ramp up our return to staging events in Asia,” said WST chairman Steve Dawson.

“Throughout the pandemic we have maintained dialogue and relationships with the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association as well as our key partners and promoters across China.

“This has allowed us to make a fast return to staging key events now that travel restrictions have lifted.” In a nod to snooker’s popularity in the world’s most populous country, Dawson added: “We will continue to explore opportunities to stage further events in China and beyond.”