April 17th 2024.
Ronnie O’Sullivan, the renowned snooker player, achieved a remarkable victory last month at the World Masters of Snooker in Riyadh. This was his first time competing in the event, and he emerged as the champion. However, his success did not end there as he recently signed a three-year ambassadorial agreement with Saudi Arabia. This agreement solidifies his commitment to participate in all World Snooker Tour events in the Kingdom, making him an integral part of the country's snooker scene.
The announcement of this partnership between WST and Saudi Arabia came on Tuesday night, along with exciting news for snooker fans. Riyadh Season, a popular entertainment event in the country, has been named an official partner of the World Snooker Championship. As part of this collaboration, the World Masters of Snooker will make its return to the calendar next season. The first edition of the event, featuring the new golden ball that allowed for a 167 break, was won by O’Sullivan in March to the delight of fans.
While the specifics of this partnership are not entirely clear, it is evident that both parties have a shared goal of promoting snooker in Saudi Arabia. Turki Alalshikh, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority, expressed his excitement for the partnership and the upcoming World Snooker Championship taking place in Sheffield from April 17th to May 6th. He also announced plans for a Ronnie O’Sullivan Academy in the country, where the snooker legend will visit for coaching trips.
O’Sullivan, who has been dominating the snooker world as the current world number one, expressed his enthusiasm for working with Riyadh Season to expand the sport in the Kingdom. He also mentioned his eagerness to play in more major events in Saudi Arabia and to share his expertise with young talent through coaching opportunities. With this three-year agreement in place, it is safe to say that retirement is not on the horizon for the 48-year-old Rocket.
WST Chairman Steve Dawson also expressed his admiration for Alalshikh's ambitious plans to develop snooker in the Middle East. He believes that this partnership will not only bring the sport to more fans in the region but also nurture new talent and establish a strong foundation for the sport. The announcement of the 10-year contract for the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, the first world ranking event in the region, further solidifies this commitment.
O’Sullivan's recent comment about the World Championship potentially moving from Sheffield to Saudi Arabia has sparked a lot of speculation among fans. And with this announcement, it seems like a move to the Kingdom may not be too far-fetched. The Rocket has also expressed his desire to see a Saudi Arabian player become a world snooker champion, and the initiatives announced by WST and Riyadh Season are steps towards making that dream a reality. With the return of the World Masters of Snooker and the upcoming Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, there is no doubt that snooker in the Kingdom is set to reach new heights.
In other snooker news, Stephen Maguire has secured a spot at the Crucible for the World Championship but has admitted to having doubts about his game. This adds to the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming event, where the top players from around the world will compete for the championship title. With the sport gaining more popularity and support in Saudi Arabia, there is no telling what the future holds for snooker in the region.
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