Association News
Smith departs
Chris Smith, Chief Executive of both the WBA and EASB made a widely anticipated exit from these positions when his "resignation" was announced by the WPBSA on Sunday 19th January. Smith had submitted a report to the WPBSA during the reign of Peter Middleton giving his ideas for the future development of billiards and amateur snooker. This was sufficiently well received for him to be appointed in July 2000 to see these forecasts through to fruition, but the practicalities of the task apparently proved to be more difficult than he anticipated. During his short time in office he became deeply unpopular with the leading members of the professional billiards association, and his relations with the World governing body, the IBSF, were little better. His imposition of a £15 individual membership fee on Amateur billiard players was a decisive factor in the decision of the EABA to operate as an independent body. All in all, his six month tenure in control of the sport reads like a chronicle of disasters which would be difficult to equal. The official reason for his departure was given as "logistical” by the WPBSA Press Office. This presumably refers to Smith´s decision to set up an office for his organisations close to his home in Dudley, West Midlands.
TV turn-off
Zee-TV, the Indian television company, have pulled out of a billiards sponsorship deal for the World Professional Championships in India which would have been worth £150,000 to the professional players over the next three years. Although contracts had been drawn up it is understood that the Indian company withdrew due to an unacceptable delay in obtaining a signature from the WPBSA. Fortunately, Mega Ace, one of the leading management consultancy companies in India, stepped in as a relacement sponsor and as a result, the World Championship was hastily rearranged to be played at the Cricket Club in Mumbai (Bombay) over five days from 11th-15th April (a full report will appear in the next issue).
New Professional
In a surprise move, Gary Rogers has joined the ranks of the professional players. His application was accepted and rushed through in time for him to take part in the World Championship qualifiers at Harrogate on Thursday 5th April. We will be giving details of Gary´s professional debut in our next issue.
50-up experiment
It is understood that the professionals have now discarded the 50-up format after a limited trial period at the start of this season. The World Championship in India will be played on a time-limit format with a six- hour final.