Snooker to Feature at Inaugural World Abilitysport Guttmann Games in 2026
World Disability Billiards & Snooker (WDBS) is delighted to announce that snooker will feature at the first-ever staging of the World Abilitysport Guttman Games in Finland this August.
To be held in the Pajulahti district from 16-21 August 2026, the Guttman Games are named in honour of the founder and father of the Paralympic Movement, Sir Ludwig Guttmann and will showcase the best of sports on offer for athletes with physical impairments that are not currently on the Paralympic programme.
Snooker returns to the World Abilitysport stage for the second time, having successfully been held at the 2023 World Abilitysport Games in Thailand. The sport’s inclusion represented the first time that snooker featured in a multi-sport Games since the 1988 Paralympic Games, having been a founding sport at the inaugural Rome Games 28 years earlier.
Five disability classification groups were contested in 2023 with Gary Swift (Group 1), Tony Southern (Group 2), Thanapol Seekao (Group 3), Carl Gibson (Group 4) and Songkiat Raebankoo (Group 5) winning the respective gold medals.
Further information about the event, including selection process and eligibility will be confirmed in due course.
Nigel Mawer QPM, WDBS Chairman said: “I am delighted that snooker will be included at the inaugural staging of the World Abilitysport Guttman Games in 2026.
“The 2023 Games marked a significant step forward in our long-term aspiration to see snooker return to the Paralympic Games and provided many moments that I will never forget, including the spectacular opening ceremony and some incredible play on the baize.
“I would like to thank Harry and his team at World Abilitysport for their continued cooperation and support and already I am looking forward to seeing our players compete in Finland for the very first-time next year!”
World Abilitysport President, Rudi Van den Abbeele shared in his excitement at the sport’s inclusion, ‘We are steadfast in our commitment to assisting in the growth and promotion of new and upcoming sports and the Guttmann Games are testament to this.’
‘In honour of our Memorandum of Understanding with World Disability Billiards & Snooker (WDBS) and following Snooker’s memorable debut at the 2023 World Abilitysport Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, we are very much looking forward to continuing the momentum with the sports inclusion in Finland this year.”
