Snooker’s Strong Sporting Heritage Demonstrated to UK Prime Minister in China
World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) Chairman Jason Ferguson demonstrated the unprecedented growth of snooker as an international sport and its significance in the China market to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the final day of a three-day visit to China this evening.
Ferguson formed part of a delegation with which has seen key diplomatic meetings held in Beijing and Shanghai, with nearly 60 representatives from British business, sport and culture joining the Prime Minister.
Snookered was exhibited as part of the ‘House of UK’ reception organised by the UK Department for Business and Trade, which celebrated British business at the Orbit in Shanghai earlier today.
A series of activities were held, which demonstrated the global inclusivity of the sport. Among those present were reigning World Women’s Snooker champion and world number one Bai Yulu, and World Disability Billiards and Snooker player director Da Chen.
The event saw a strong media attendance as both players were introduced to the Prime Minister by Ferguson, as they posed for photographs around the Xing Pai billiard table installed at the venue. World champion Bai also demonstrated her talent with a series of trick shots.
Ferguson also engaged in fruitful discussions with the Prime Minister, as he discussed the scale of the sport in China and throughout the world.
He also discussed the importance of the strong governance frameworks that exist within the UK, where the WPBSA has remained an established international sports governing body.
He also explained that the billiard cloth used at the highest level is still produced in the UK by Strachan and remains the market leader for international events on the World Snooker Tour.
Jason Ferguson, WPBSA Chairman said: “It has been a hugely significant week for our sport which I have been greatly honoured to represent as part of this visit.
“As a UK-based sport, I was delighted to have the attention of the UK’s Prime Minister, who was deeply engaged in listening to the story of snooker, its international expansion, its growth here in China and its importance as a sport for all.
“To see our great sport recognised alongside some of the most prestigious and successful international businesses this week has been greatly rewarding and underlined snooker’s enduring appeal around the world.”
