‘The biggest and best ever’ — elite international players hail 2024 World Pool Championship

‘The biggest and best ever’ — elite international players hail 2024 World Pool Championship
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An event of epic proportions, 128 of the world’s greatest cueists are vying for the sport’s most prestigious title, with coverage broadcast to more than 90 countries. (Supplied)
‘The biggest and best ever’ — elite international players hail 2024 World Pool Championship
2 / 3
An event of epic proportions, 128 of the world’s greatest cueists are vying for the sport’s most prestigious title, with coverage broadcast to more than 90 countries. (Supplied)
‘The biggest and best ever’ — elite international players hail 2024 World Pool Championship
3 / 3
An event of epic proportions, 128 of the world’s greatest cueists are vying for the sport’s most prestigious title, with coverage broadcast to more than 90 countries. (Supplied)
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Updated 06 June 2024
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‘The biggest and best ever’ — elite international players hail 2024 World Pool Championship

‘The biggest and best ever’ — elite international players hail 2024 World Pool Championship

JEDDAH: The global superstars of professional pool have opened up about their experience at the 2024 World Pool Championship in Jeddah, hailing the event as the biggest and best of their careers.

As the jewel in the crown of the World Nineball Tour, the championship is currently making its inaugural appearance in the Kingdom, with the 33rd edition being hosted at the Green Halls until June 8.

An event of epic proportions, 128 of the world’s greatest cueists are vying for the sport’s most prestigious title, with coverage broadcast to more than 90 countries.

Having competed in major tournaments worldwide, none are better qualified to assess this year’s world championship than the players themselves.

Crucially, the assessment has been unanimous: A new benchmark has been set for future editions to emulate.

World #3 and former champion Shane Van Boening, widely considered as one of the greatest players of all time, said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen an event like this. This year’s World Pool Championship in Saudi Arabia is probably the best tournament I’ve ever been to in my whole career. I’m glad to have the opportunity to play here and hopefully I can continue being here for a long time. It’s great to see a major pool tournament finally being held in the Kingdom.”

This sentiment is shared by Francisco Sanchez Ruíz, the world #1 and reigning champion. The Spanish star stated: “It’s fantastic to be out there defending the world championship in the biggest event ever seen in our sport — I’m living the dream. Walking into the area, I thought ‘Oh my, it’s so big’ — it was very exciting.”

While discussing his tournament experience to date, Ruiz insisted that the entire WNT roster welcomed the championship being held in the Kingdom. He added: “Arriving in a new destination is great for players and fans alike. It’s what’s needed for our sport to continue growing globally and the future is even more promising now we’re here.”

The World Pool Championship is being staged in Saudi Arabia as part of a major 10-year partnership between the Saudi Arabian Billiards and Snooker Federation, Ministry of Sport, and promoter Matchroom Multi-Sport. Although their collaboration has only just begun, the event organization has received glowing feedback.

Germany’s Pia Filler, the current sole female WNT player, said: “It’s the best set-up I’ve ever seen and the best venue I’ve ever played in. It’s an honor to be here in Saudi Arabia and playing on such a stage. It’s an incredible experience for us as players. The country is amazing; the people are super nice, the food is great, and the tournament organization has been excellent.”

Singaporean Aloysius Yapp also praised the Green Halls. The world #9 declared: “This is by far one of the most outstanding venues I’ve ever played in so far on the Nineball Tour – and I know it’s going to get even better. Being here this year is the first of many huge steps for the sport in Saudi Arabia and I already can’t wait for the coming years.”

Since Vision 2030 was introduced in 2015, over 100 international sporting events have been held in the Kingdom including football, F1, boxing, esports, golf, tennis and more.

Scottish cueist and world #5 Jayson Shaw revealed he has watched these events in awe from afar and said he hoped Saudi Arabia could take pool to new heights moving forward.

“Having a tournament here is just incredible. We’ve seen what the Kingdom has done with other sports and hopefully they can take pool to the next level too,” he said.

“As a pool player, sitting at home and watching the Saudi boxing events and other sports staged here, in my mind I was thinking, ‘Okay, pool maybe is next’ — and here we are. Hopefully over the next five to 10 years, the pool events here will become even bigger and better.”

Another player with one eye fixed firmly on the future is Syria’s Mohammad Soufi, the world #29 and 2023 world championship runner-up. He believes holding the event in Saudi Arabia will open up previously unimaginable opportunities for talent across the Arab world.

“The World Pool Championship coming to Saudi Arabia is huge for the regional pool scene — it really is great news,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for Arab players now and in the future to show that we can compete with the world’s best and win. We have many really good, talented players in this part of the world — pool has always been popular here and I know the future is bright.”


All set for Next Gen ATP in Jeddah

All set for Next Gen ATP in Jeddah
Updated 6 sec ago
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All set for Next Gen ATP in Jeddah

All set for Next Gen ATP in Jeddah

JEDDAH: The Next Gen ATP Finals begins in Jeddah on Wednesday, with the season’s top under-20 players competing for the championship title.

The tournament, in its second year in Saudi Arabia, will be organized by the Saudi Tennis Federation and the Association of Tennis Professionals, under the supervision of the Ministry of Sports, and sponsored by the Public Investment Fund.

Held on indoor hard courts at King Abdullah Sports City from Dec. 18-22, the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF features the eight best 20-and-under players on the ATP Tour.

This year’s lineup comprises Frenchman Arthur Fils, Alex Michelsen of the US, Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic, China’s Juncheng Shang, American Learner Tien, Luca Van Assche of France, American Nishesh Basavareddy and Brazil’s Joao Fonseca.

Defending champion Hamad Medjedovic cannot try to retain his title due to his age, meaning that a new winner will be crowned in Jeddah next week.

The new ambassador of the Saudi Tennis Federation, Rafa Nadal, one of the greatest sporting figures and tennis players of all time, will attend the semifinals and final to witness the new champion crowned for 2024.

The 2024 tournament has increased total prize money to a record $2.05 million.

Previous Next Gen ATP Finals winners were:

2017: Chung Hyeon

2018: Stefanos Tsitsipas

2019: Jannik Sinner

2020: Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic

2021: Carlos Alcaraz

2022: Brandon Nakashima

2023: Hamad Medjedovic


Al-Ain Club’s youngsters dominate Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Al-Ain Club’s youngsters dominate Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Updated 15 December 2024
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Al-Ain Club’s youngsters dominate Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Al-Ain Club’s youngsters dominate Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • Baniyas and Sharjah clubs finish 2nd and 3rd in 5th-round youth categories

ABU DHABI: Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club topped the medal table on the second day of the fifth and final round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Competitions for the U-14s and U-12s took center stage on Saturday, with Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club securing second place, followed by Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club in third.

Fahad Ali Al-Shamsi, secretary-general of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The young athletes are the cornerstone of jiu-jitsu’s future in the UAE. Today they have shown great skill in representing their clubs and have demonstrated the core values of jiu-jitsu, such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience.

“Their exceptional performance reflects the hard work of clubs and academies in preparing them, coupled with the continuous support of our wise leadership. This championship also showcases the vital role of families in encouraging and supporting their children, further strengthening the community bond.”

One of the guests of honor, Dr Ebrahim Saeed Al-Hajri, president of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, highlighted the importance of the championship’s focus on nurturing young talent.

“What distinguishes Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is its focus on younger age groups, which represent the future of the sport over the next decade. Watching these youngsters compete with enthusiasm and dedication reflects the growing popularity of jiu-jitsu among younger generations and helps build a strong foundation of talent for the future.”


Lee Chieh-Po wins LIV Golf Promotions in Riyadh, earns spot in 2025 league season

Lee Chieh-Po wins LIV Golf Promotions in Riyadh, earns spot in 2025 league season
Updated 15 December 2024
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Lee Chieh-Po wins LIV Golf Promotions in Riyadh, earns spot in 2025 league season

Lee Chieh-Po wins LIV Golf Promotions in Riyadh, earns spot in 2025 league season
  • The 30-year-old becomes the first player from Chinese Taipei to earn full-time status in LIV Golf after taking title by 2 strokes

RIYADH: Fueled by nine birdies in the morning and a clutch tee shot in the late afternoon, Lee Chieh-po won the grueling 36-hole LIV Golf Promotions finish on Saturday to claim a coveted spot in the league’s 2025 season.

The 30-year-old becomes the first player from Chinese Taipei to earn full-time status in LIV Golf and hopes his victory and presence in the league will inspire others from his country.

“It means a lot for our players,” said the Asian Tour regular, who won for the first time at this year’s International Series Thailand. “LIV Golf, I think, is many players’ dream. I go there and they will come.”

Lee — also known by his English name, Max — shot a two-round total of 10 under at Riyadh Golf Club to win by two strokes over Asian Tour player Taichi Kho and relegated LIV Golf player Branden Grace in the 20-player final-day field. A total of 92 players began the week.

All players finishing inside the top 10 will receive exemptions to all 10 tournaments on The International Series in 2025. Six players on the final leaderboard did not previously hold that status: American Ollie Schniederjans and Australians Brett Coletta and Jack Buchanan, who shared fourth at 5 under; Germany’s Max Rottluff, solo seventh at 4 under; and Korea’s Soomin Lee and England’s David Horsey, part of the four-way tie for eighth at 3 under.

They were all chasing Lee after he shot a 7-under 64 in his morning round that included nine birdies, with four in his final five holes. That gave him a two-shot lead over Schniederjans, who posted a bogey-free 66.

Lee remained in control throughout the afternoon, making the turn with a one-shot lead over Grace, who had just made his fourth birdie of the day at the 11th hole.

Lee seemed to be pulling away with a three-stroke lead late in the round, but a bad approach at the par-4 16th resulted in a bogey. “I hit it way poor to the left, and I was laughing, like, what am I doing?” Lee said.

When Grace and Kho finished with birdies at the 18th, his lead was reduced to a single shot going into the par-3 17th, the most difficult hole on the back nine this week.

But he stepped up and delivered the biggest shot of the day, his tee ball nearly rolling into the cup. After making birdie, he stayed away from trouble at the 18th to close it out.

“Just tried to reset my mind,” he said afterwards. “Hole No. 17, that shot is very important. I hit a very good tee shot.”

Grace was watching in the clubhouse as Lee finished his round. He was hoping to regain his spot with Stinger GC with a win this week, but the team could still make a business case for keeping him in the lineup.

“Played good, gave it everything,” Grace said. “Now I’ll go home and have a holiday.”

Schniederjans, the former top-ranked amateur who is playing his way back from injuries that slowed his career, was encouraged by being in the mix this week.

“I’m very confident about where everything is heading,” he said. “I had to hit a lot of cool putts and shots under pressure, so it was really nice to see that. It did give me even more confidence. But I have a lot of confidence in my future.”

As for Lee, his confidence is sky-high. A hip injury last year forced him into swing changes, but a consistent stretch of play this season that culminated in the victory in Thailand — when he rallied to overtake LIV Golf player Peter Uihlein — is an indication of his talent.

Now he’s ready to compete in LIV Golf and embrace everything the global league has to offer.

“On the LIV Tour, every player is very strong,” he said. “I think I can learn something. I will learn something.”


Third and last South Africa-Pakistan T20 washed out

Third and last South Africa-Pakistan T20 washed out
Updated 15 December 2024
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Third and last South Africa-Pakistan T20 washed out

Third and last South Africa-Pakistan T20 washed out
  • South Africa win series 2-0, their first bilateral series victory since August 2022
  • Both teams begin three-match ODI series on Tuesday in Paarl followed by two Tests 

JOHANNESBURG: The third and last Twenty20 between South Africa and Pakistan was washed out on Saturday at the Wanderers.

Match officials waited two hours after the scheduled late-afternoon start before abandoning the game without a ball bowled due to rain and lightning.

South Africa won 2-0, its first bilateral series victory since August 2022.

The teams begin a three-match one-day international series on Tuesday in Paarl, followed by two tests.


Saudi fencer Hasan Abed wins silver at World Cup meet

Saudi fencer Hasan Abed wins silver at World Cup meet
Updated 15 December 2024
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Saudi fencer Hasan Abed wins silver at World Cup meet

Saudi fencer Hasan Abed wins silver at World Cup meet

RIYADH: Saudi fencer Hasan Abed has won a silver medal at the World Cup in Nigeria.
The Saudi youngster picked up the second place medal after losing to Egypt’s Youssef Shamel in the final of the event in Lagos.
Abed came through a field of 39 fencers taking part in the under 20 championships to reach Saturday’s final.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, the Saudi sports minister, congratulated the fencer on social media, saying the youth was a “rising star”.
He defeated Greece’s Artemios Tzovanis in the quarterfinals and Egypt’s Eslam Osama in the semis on his route to the final.