iSport | For the Fans, by the Fans

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!]