Eurosport is planning a new "World Series" from May through to August. It will start with four events this summer and is expected to grow to 10 by 2009. The venture was set up by John Higgins, the world champion, and his manager, Pat Mooney, and they hope to exploit the expansion of interest in the game in continental Europe.
"After I won the World Championship I was determined to capitalise on this by developing professional snooker into regions where we know it is popular," said Higgins. "We spent the summer visiting countries such as Russia, the Middle and Far East and also ran a pilot event in Warsaw. I could not believe how popular the game was in these regions and have to say I was over the moon to find myself being recognised and signing autographs on the streets of Moscow."
Countries where the game was virtually unknown 10 years ago are now sending competitors to world and European amateur championships. The initial events will have small fields drawn from the world's top 20, wild cards and local players. With the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association circuit comprising only eight events, these new tournaments are expected to be complementary rather than alternative attractions. The semi-finals and finals of the four events this summer, in Warsaw, Moscow, Jersey and either Germany or Holland, will be televised live. Eurosport currently televises 300 hours a year of the WPBSA circuit.
Eurosport Events will be the licensing agent for media and marketing rights. "We believe in this high-profile sport," said Jacques Behar, president and chief executive. "The launch of the new series deepens our multi-sport expertise and extends our portfolio, already comprising international events in motor sports, equestrianism and sailing."
Ken Doherty showed a ruthless streak as he overcame a two-frame deficit to reach the last eight of the Masters at Wembley Arena by overwhelming the Welshman Mark Williams 6-2. Williams, twice Masters champion, started the game strongly with breaks of 118 and 69 but Doherty, the 1997 world champion, found top form and left his opponent in his wake with breaks of 101, 89 and 68 to win by four frames.