iSport | For the Fans, by the Fans

The 'Cannon Ball' in his first write up on iSport.in describes the funny workings in the world of Cue Sports. With 2 governing bodies that are fighting for global recognition - it is the players that are suffering, not only from the lack of competition but also from lack of recognition.

The International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) and the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) are two parallel governing bodies of cue sports. Each of them conducts their own World Championships. While the WPBSA focuses heavily on snooker, the IBSF gives a great deal of importance to both billiards and snooker. Earlier, the IBSF used to conduct amateur championships but now the participants in all their championships are non-professionals. The difference between the two is demonstrated in the following paragraph:

In 2003, Indian wonderboy, Pankaj Advani, won the IBSF World Snooker Championship. The tournament allowed professional players to participate too (until 2004). The title by no means can therefore be called an amateur title. In Billiards, professionals of WPBSA also participate in the IBSF World Billiards Championship. In fact, it is noticed that there are more participants in the IBSF World Billiards Championships than the WPBSA one. Another example of a player participating in tournaments of both leagues is Peter Gilchrist of England. He is now a citizen of Singapore and represents them in all IBSF championships. Yet, he is a professional Billiards player.

This is one sport that does not have any “amateur” titles. While the WPBSA conducts professional snooker and billiards World Championships for a few players, mainly British, considering a majority of the tourneys are held in the UK, IBSF carries out World Championships in different countries and continents each year, with a participation of over 70 countries.

WPBSA organizes many qualifying tournaments that enable players to have a shot at the World Professional Snooker Title. These tourneys are mainly held in England. Not an entirely fair system considering it is the “World” Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Players who wish to specialize in snooker, have to spend a good part of the year, each year, to attempt entering the professional circuit, away from home (if you’re not British of course). On the other hand, IBSF ask all participating countries to send their top 2 players to their World Championships.

Many players like Pankaj Advani have made a conscious decision to pursue both billiards and snooker. Having won World titles in both disciplines of cue sports, it would make no sense for a player like him to give up one sport to play more of the other. In fact, Advani is only the second person in the history of the sport to win World titles in billiards and snooker, which makes his decision to give equal time to both a lot easier.

As confusing as it may sound, the bottom line in this whole scenario of world billiards and snooker is that every player, be they a professional or not, be they a part of IBSF or WPBSA or both, a World Championship Title is no mean feat. It boils to down the choice a player makes. Leaving home to play snooker in gloomy UK all year round or residing at home and being able to represent your country in World Championships. The choice is no brain surgery!

[Cannon Ball - though is a term borrowed from the world of Cue Sports - will bring to us a different side of the game. His writings will reveal the psychological and motivation side of sports. The attitude that maketh a sportsperson a World Champ!]