Riyadh: The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) announced yesterday the expansion of its partnership with the World Snooker Tour (WST), which promises to elevate the sport’s profile across the Middle East.
Chairman of the GEA Board of Directors Turki Alalshikh said an agreement was signed ahead of the upcoming World Snooker Championship. Riyadh Season will become an official partner of this prestigious tournament, underscoring its commitment to supporting WST endeavors.
With a shared ambition to cultivate a thriving snooker scene in the Kingdom and beyond, Alalshikh further announced a new three-year deal with snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan, the current world number one, which guarantees O’Sullivan’s participation in all WST events hosted in Saudi Arabia, while also securing his commitment to special trips within the Kingdom to coach and mentor aspiring talent.
The partnership builds upon the success of the inaugural Riyadh Season World Masters in Snooker, held last month and ultimately won by O’Sulliv
an. This highly acclaimed event is confirmed to return as part of the 2024/25 Riyadh Season calendar, featuring the world’s top 10 players alongside two wild card invitees.
The tournament will once again showcase the innovative “Riyadh Season ball”, a golden colored cue ball offering players the chance to achieve a record-breaking 167 break by potting it on a maximum 147.
Alalshikh further announced that the prize money for this “super maximum” feat has been doubled to $1 million, further incentivizing players to attempt such historic achievement.
“These initiatives,” Alalshikh said, “will act as a catalyst for the development of snooker in Saudi Arabia, inspiring a new generation of young fans captivated by the sport’s icons.”
He emphasized that the expansion of snooker as part of Riyadh Season’s offerings is bound to foster a vibrant community of fans, propel the game’s popularity in the Kingdom, and provide a platform for Saudi enthusiasts to excel.
Alalshikh expressed Riyadh Season’s delight in partn
ering with the upcoming World Snooker Championship, scheduled to begin next Saturday and run until May 6 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
WST Chairman Steve Dawson echoed the sentiment, saying: “We are honored to collaborate with Turki Alalshikh on his visionary plans for growth. We share his ambition of introducing snooker to a wider audience across the Middle East, fostering new talent, and establishing grassroots infrastructure. We hold a common dream – to one day see a Saudi Arabian World Snooker Champion – and each of the initiatives announced today represents a significant step towards that goal. We are thrilled to deepen our relationship with Saudi Arabia.”
“The inaugural Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker was a fantastic event,” said O’Sullivan.
“The atmosphere and the enthusiasm of the fans were truly inspiring. We have the potential to make snooker a major force in Saudi Arabia. I am excited by this opportunity to contribute to the sport’s growth there, to coach talented young players, a
nd to share my experience. I also relish the chance to compete in more major events within the Kingdom and collaborate with Alalshikh on his ambitious vision.”
Source: Saudi News Agency