The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association released a stunning statement on Monday that could have a significant impact into the global amateur set-up and potentially how aspiring players reach the Main Tour.
The WPBSA has taken an unprecedented step of severing all ties with its sister amateur body, the International Billiards and Snooker Federation.
Below you can read the statement in full:
“Following an inappropriate and unconstitutional attempt by some members of the International Billiards and Snooker Association (IBSF) to control seats within the World Confederation of Billiards Sports, the WPBSA will be distancing itself completely from the IBSF.”
“All World Snooker Tour places allocated to the IBSF at future events will be removed with immediate effect. Any organisation staging events which hold two-year WSL tour cards for the winners should check with the WPBSA before taking any entries.
“The WPBSA has had serious concerns for some time about governance standards within some Cue Sport organisations. The WPBSA is committed (to) promoting the principles of good governance in sport and will continue to work with National Federations who share the same vision for the future.”
For legal reasons, the “inappropriate” behaviour that transpired cannot be disclosed at this time but for a measure like this to be taken it must be pretty important.
Current IBSF nominees, including World Under-21 champion Fan Zhengyi, will still be granted their Main Tour cards.
However, future events sanctioned by the IBSF will not be allocated with the same invitations onto the pro circuit.
What this will mean for the prestigious amateur World Championships at senior and junior levels obviously remains to be seen.
It’s well bandied about that several snooker associations have an old boys’ club feel to them, but offering any details as to what actually happened between the two established bodies would be mere speculation at this point.
We wait then, patiently, for some more news to come to light.
The way the IBSF has been doing it’s internal businesses makes it more resembling to a criminal organization than a sports governing body. The board members seem only to act in their own interest. Procedures in general meetings are followed against it’s own constitution. Seems functionaries take inspiration from their respective home countries – some of which are famous for their transparent and democatic ways.
Kudos to the WPBSA for making a statement.
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