Sindhu Pulsirivong Passes Away

Everyone at WST and the WPBSA is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the great Sindhu Pulsirivong at the age of 91.

Known to many as the “Godfather of Asian Snooker” Sindhu served as the president of the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand for many years from 1988 and remained honorary President of the WPBSA until his passing.

Pulsirivong was instrumental in the integration of billiard sports into the Asian Games in 1998 and in the introduction and promotion of the 6-Red World Snooker Championship which was held in Thailand for many years.

He became the first person from Asia to have been inducted to the WST Hall of Fame in 2016.

Our thoughts are with his friends and colleagues at this difficult time, and we thank him for the outstanding legacy that he has left our sport.

WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson said: “I first met Sindhu in 1992. He was a powerful figure in Thailand who cared deeply about snooker, a game he had fallen in love with whilst studying as an engineer at Liverpool University.

“In the late 1990s during politically turbulent times in snooker, I had the pleasure of working with him on many projects, where we focused on trying to internationalise snooker, especially across Asia.

“We opened the WPBSA Asian Academy in Bangkok, where players and officials came to train. We then established a training camp in the UK to assist those who were achieving and one such player was Ding Junhui who went on to become the national hero of China.

“In 2001, snooker entered the World Games in Japan and under his leadership I served as Sports Director on the games for Billiard Sports. As we marched in the massive stadium in Akita, Japan, carrying a billiard sports banner, snooker had entered a new phase.

“I will never forget his words to me that day as he held my hand tightly “Jason, take care of this sport, and you remember this great day, this is the day snooker became a sport” and he was right. Asia had embraced snooker and the rest is history as they say.

“Sindhu devoted much of his time to snooker spanning at least three decades. He was a man of integrity, and highly respected in his county at the most senior level. He applied his strength and resources to help this sport grow.

“On a personal note, he believed in me and pushed me to become a sports administrator, taking me away from competing. His leadership and guidance gave me great confidence, and I will never forget him.

“When I returned to this role in 2010, it did not take long until the World Cup of snooker was reestablished in Thailand under the patronage of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, along with its Gold and Jade trophy.

“It was in recognition of his immense contribution to our sport in Asia that he was honoured in 2016 as the first Asian and first non-player to be inducted into the WST Hall of Fame and it was a great pleasure to be able to present him with this award.

“My thoughts are with his friends and family at this most difficult time, and I will remain forever grateful for his support and friendship.”

Nigel Oldfield, Director of Sports Development and Operations said: “I first met Sindhu in the early 1990s and from the very beginning he became a great friend and colleague.

“We worked on many different snooker events, too many to mention, and he was an inspiration when we helped form the World Confederation of Billiard Sports.

“We became close friends and both my wife, Lynn, and I have spent many great times with Sindhu and all his close family. He will be greatly missed, thank you for everything my friend.”

His close friend and colleague Twitath Warintrakom writes: “It is with the deepest sorrow that I share the passing of Mr Sindhu Pulsirivong, former President of the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand, former President of WCBS, ACBS and President of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, who left us peacefully today at the age of 91.

“Mr Sindhu was truly the father of snooker in Thailand. As one of the founding pillars of organized snooker in our country, he dedicated over three decades of his life serving as President of the Association, laying the foundation upon which Thai snooker has grown and gained international recognition.

“On a personal note, he was like a second father to me. For over thirty years, he generously offered me guidance, knowledge, trust, and opportunities that allowed me to step into and grow within the world of snooker. His mentorship shaped not only my career but also my values in serving the sport.

“The world of snooker has lost a visionary leader, and I have lost a beloved mentor. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”