World Open Tournament Cancelled for 2014/2015 Season

[robertmac]

This comes as a big surprise to me. World Snooker
just posted what is below and more on their website.

World Open Removed From Calendar

07th November 2014


World Snooker has announced that the World Open will not take place during the 2014/15 season.




The world ranking event was staged in Haikou, China, in 2012, 2013 and 2014, but the contract with the promoter has not been renewed.

[Inoffthered]

Maybe this is the start of the decline in China.. ( I know, I know.. just trollin' )

[Byrom]

I don't think they (world snooker) do themselves any favours making the likes of Ding and Ronnie or the top 16 have to qualify. Not like people flock to see the rest out of the top 16 - with one or two exceptions -do they? Are they having the Wuxi next year? Answers on a postcard-

Also not a lot of people could afford the months wages they charged for a ticket in China - shame.

[thommo335]

World Open Tournament Cancelled for 2014/2015 Season

top 16 should be exempt, end of.
the international champs last week with no world champion and no chinas no. 1 in ding and no wonder nobody was watching.

[bolton-cueman]

Maybe this is the start of the decline in China.. ( I know, I know.. just trollin' )

I don't think thats trollin - I think you'll see in the next 2-3 years you'll a decline in the market over there. rarely, in any sport, do you see a continual rise. There are some exceptions of course!

[bolton-cueman]

totally agree with the top 16 should get a degree of protection.

While nice in theory that all 128 or whatever it is start in round 1, the risk of having no 'names' in the business end equates to limited attendances - live and viewing figures. Like all sports big names sell tickets. Prospects dont, unfortunately.

[robertmac]

There is no doubt that having several top players
not qualify or get knocked out early has lessened
my interest so I am sure the Chinese would feel
the same. Ticket prices of course have to be looked
into as well and I understand one tournament was
held an hour away from a big city.
World Snooker has to work hard to resolve whatever
issues are standing in the way of holding successful
tournaments in China and elsewhere.

[Byrom]

totally agree with the top 16 should get a degree of protection.

While nice in theory that all 128 or whatever it is start in round 1, the risk of having no 'names' in the business end equates to limited attendances - live and viewing figures. Like all sports big names sell tickets. Prospects dont, unfortunately.

Yep I agree -

I have changed my mind on this point though - whilst I think it is more fair to give everyone a equal chance and it does not matter to me being a die hard snooker fan who plays who and I like watching the new breed - fact is your average Joe public are not of the same mind and they are not seeing the matches they want and cannot keep pace with the influx of new faces that might get a run in the odd event never to be seen for the rest of the year - also the rivalries the sport needs to develop are not happening often enough and I think its time to change the ranking system back to what it was to encourage this to happen more.

[Leo]

Like in china,to the die hard fan a walden vs Allen final was great to them,but of course how unfortunate this may sound this doesn't do snooker any good whatsoever,don't care what anyone say.

[david147]

World Open Tournament Cancelled for 2014/2015 Season

Just bring it to Antwerp ???

[Mr Snooker]

top 16 should be exempt, end of.
the international champs last week with no world champion and no chinas no. 1 in ding and no wonder nobody was watching.

I have just posted a new thread here http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/boa...at-draw-Events What Barry Hearn has decided to the do in the future about the 128 flat draw overseas events