‘A brilliant addition to the World Snooker Tour’ : Neil Robertson on Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters

Snooker’s ‘Triple Crown’ winner Neil Robertson said the Saudi Arabia Masters was a welcome addition to the world tour. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 01 September 2024
Follow

‘A brilliant addition to the World Snooker Tour’ : Neil Robertson on Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters

  • The 23-time ranking event winner and six-time major champion speaks exclusively to Arab News about snooker’s fourth ‘major’ and expanding the sport across the Middle East

RIYADH: The inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters snooker tournament being staged in Riyadh has been hailed by one of the world's leading players as a milestone for the sport in the Middle East.

The tournament, which will run until Sept. 7 at the Green Halls venue, is the first ranking event held in the Kingdom, with high-stakes showdowns featuring 144 of the world’s best players.

Billed as “The Battle on the Baize,” the nine-day competition gives participants the opportunity to claim vital ranking points and $3 million (SR11.3 million) in prize money, as well as the chance to win a coveted new WST title in the early stages of the 2024-25 season.

The event also provides the greatest cueists on the planet with a platform to win one of the sport’s “major” championships — the most prestigious titles a player can win in their career.

Since 1977, the UK Championship, Masters, and World Championship have formed snooker’s Triple Crown, reigning as the sport’s three major championships. Now, the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters has become snooker’s fourth major — a move welcomed by the World Snooker Tour’s biggest names.

Among them is the Australian star Neil Robertson, one of only 11 men to have completed the Triple Crown, and the only player from outside the UK to accomplish this feat to date.

The six-time major winner endorsed the decision Ito launch the event by revealing the positive reaction and reception from the WST players.

“For all sports to evolve, you need to welcome change, and staging a major championship at the start of the new season is brilliant,” said Robertson. “The prize money and ranking points available replicate those on offer at the world championship and as players, we’ve absolutely welcomed this.”

With the major events held in November, January, and April each year, Robertson believes the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters taking place in early September is a great addition to the tour.

“The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters is a huge event, and staging it early on in the new season gives everyone a great opportunity to move in the rankings where that’s not usually the case until later in the year. It’s a welcome change of pace,” he said. 

“Having a major event here – where the conditions and facilities are as good as they are – I think the fans will see a fantastic brand of snooker that replicates that of the other majors. You usually see the highest quality of snooker during the majors and I’m sure this will be the same over the next week.”

As the pinnacle annual series in snooker, the WST has morphed into a global competition in recent years, expanding from the UK into mainland Europe and Asia. With an international fanbase exceeding 500 million, coverage now includes more than 200 countries, while the 2024-25 season encompasses 21 events, including 13 in the UK and six in China.

For Robertson, the Saudi tournament could well be the start of the sport’s growth, development, and expansion in the Middle East.

Confirmed for the next decade, the event is the result of a commitment by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sport, Saudi Arabian Billiards and Snooker Federation, and Matchroom Sport to develop snooker nationally and regionally over the next decade.

The future potential is something that excites the Australian player.

“Usually, you need a flagbearer to get it all started in terms of breaking into new territories,” said Robertson, the most successful player ever from outside the UK with 23 ranking event wins.

“We’ve been everywhere else all around the world, but the Middle East is a market we’ve not really broken through yet, so it’s a great opportunity.

“Saudi Arabia is doing lots of positive things surrounding sport. We’ve seen the opportunities the Kingdom is creating for its population in line with Vision 2030, and by hosting events across football, F1, boxing, esports, and so on.

“Coming here and seeing the practice facilities, the area, and how fantastic everything is set up bodes really well for the future. 

“The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters has created a lot of interest, and it’s really up to us as players now to put on a good show and propel snooker in the Middle East. We’ve come to a place where the facilities and the conditions are perfect to do so.”


PSG fans display banner calling for end to ‘genocide’ in Gaza during Champions League final

Updated 6 sec ago
Follow

PSG fans display banner calling for end to ‘genocide’ in Gaza during Champions League final

PSG fans are known for their stance against the war in Gaza
The latest banner was likely to lead to disquiet among local authorities in Munich

MUNICH: Paris Saint-Germain supporters displayed a banner saying “Stop genocide in Gaza” during the Champions League final on Saturday.
They raised it shortly after Achraf Hakimi gave their team a 1-0 lead against his former side Inter Milan in the 12th minute. Désiré Doué scored PSG’s second after the banner was raised for a 2-0 halftime lead.
PSG fans are known for their stance against the war in Gaza. They previously displayed a giant banner saying “Free Palestine” in November during the Champions League match against Atlético Madrid.
The latest banner was likely to lead to disquiet among local authorities in Munich. Munich’s city hall displays an Israeli flag as well as a Ukrainian one, and German support for Israel is strong for historical reasons.
PSG could also face a fine. UEFA bans the use of gestures, words, objects or any other means to transmit a provocative message that is judged not fit for a sports event, particularly provocative messages that are of a political, ideological, religious or offensive nature.
Financial penalties are typical for a first offense — 10,000 euros ($10,700) for a political banner or disturbances.
Israel’s nearly three-month blockade on Gaza has pushed the population of over two million to the brink of famine. It has allowed some aid to enter in recent days, but aid organizations say far from enough is getting in.
The UN World Food Program said the fear of starvation in Gaza is high.

21 athletes killed in Nigeria road crash

Updated 37 min 56 sec ago
Follow

21 athletes killed in Nigeria road crash

  • The Federal Road Safety Corps said the afternoon crash “might have occurred as a result of fatigue and excessive speed“
  • The athletes were returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival

ABUJA: A bus crash on a Nigerian highway on Saturday killed 21 athletes returning from a national sports tournament, with authorities saying the accident might have been the result of driver fatigue or excessive speed.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the afternoon crash, which did not involve other vehicles, “might have occurred as a result of fatigue and excessive speed” after a long overnight trip.

The athletes were returning to Kano, in Nigeria’s north, from the 22nd National Sports Festival, held around 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) to the south in Ogun state.


President Bola Tinubu had recently said the games, which included sports ranging from wheelchair basketball to traditional west African wrestling, represented “the unity, strength and resilience that define us as a nation.”

Road accidents are common on Nigeria’s poorly maintained roads due largely to speeding and a disregard for traffic rules.

Last year Nigeria recorded 9,570 road accidents that resulted in 5,421 deaths, according to FRSC data.


Portuguese goalkeeper Patricio joins Al-Ain for Club World Cup

Updated 31 May 2025
Follow

Portuguese goalkeeper Patricio joins Al-Ain for Club World Cup

  • “Patricio will arrive to the UAE tomorrow evening to undergo medical tests,” Al-Ain said
  • Patricio played 108 matches for Portugal

ABU DHABI: Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio will join Al-Ain on a short-term contract for the Club World Cup, the team from the United Arab Emirates said on Saturday.

“Al-Ain has signed Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio to participate with the team in the 2025 Club World Cup,” the club said on X about the 37-year-old Portugal international who is joining them from Atalanta.

“Patricio will arrive to the United Arab Emirates tomorrow evening to undergo medical tests and join the first-team training,” Al-Ain added.


Patricio played 108 matches for Portugal, helping them win Euro 2016, and has had spells with Sporting Lisbon, Wolverhampton Wanderers and AS Roma.

Al-Ain, who won the AFC Champions League title in 2024, reached the final of the 2018 Club World Cup final in front of their home fans.

This year’s revamped 32-team tournament will take place in the United States in June and July.

Al Ain have been drawn in Group G with Juventus, Manchester City and Morocco’s Wydade.

FIFA opened an exceptional transfer window from June 1-10 to allow players to be signed for the tournament.


Green Falcons hold Alkhobar training session in preparation for World Cup qualifiers

Updated 31 May 2025
Follow

Green Falcons hold Alkhobar training session in preparation for World Cup qualifiers

  • French coach Herve Renard supervised the team as they held a light recovery session
  • Team preparations resume tomorrow night with full training session

KHOBAR: The Saudi national football team held a training session on Saturday in Alkhobar, as they continue preparing for the decisive ninth and 10th rounds of the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

French coach Herve Renard supervised the team as they held a light recovery session at the health facilities of the Green Falcons’ base camp, a media statement said.

Injured left back Muteb Al-Harbi continued his rehabilitation program under the medical staff’s supervision, while teammate Mohammed Bakr resumed physical training with the team’s fitness coach.

After the recovery session ended, Renard gave the players some free time, with the squad scheduled to return later this evening at their base.

The Green Falcons’ preparations resume tomorrow night with a full training session at 7 p.m. in Ettifaq Club Stadium.

The first 15 minutes of the session will be open to the media to offer a glimpse into the team’s readiness as the qualifiers draw near.

Saudi Arabia stands at third place in Group C with 10 points from eight matches. Japan tops the group on 20 points, while second-place Australia has 13 points.

The Green Falcons play against Bahrain on June 5 and Australia on June 10.


Oscar Piastri outpaces team-mate Lando Norris to grab Spanish Grand Prix pole

Updated 31 May 2025
Follow

Oscar Piastri outpaces team-mate Lando Norris to grab Spanish Grand Prix pole

  • Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell

BARCELONA: Oscar Piastri outpaced title rival and McLaren team-mate Lando Norris in the final minute of a gripping qualifying session on Saturday to clinch pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix.
The championship leader clocked a near flawless final lap of one minute and 11.546 seconds to beat Norris by 0.209 seconds as McLaren claimed a dominant one-two having also topped all three practice sessions.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari and Kimi Antonelli in the second Mercedes.
Charles Leclerc was seventh in the second Ferrari ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Racing Bulls’ impressive rookie Isack Hadjar and local hero two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin.
It was Piastri’s fourth pole of the season and career as he seeks to extend his three-point lead ahead of Norris in the drivers’ championship.
“Nice work, very nicely done, everyone,” said the cool 24-year-old Australian on team radio. “That’s quite some turnaround from last year. Well done everyone. Let’s have some fun tomorrow!“
He added: “I’m very glad to be on pole here and now I just need a good start. It’s a long run to the first corner!“
Norris said: “Oscar has driven really well and he deserved it. But it is a great result for the team.”
Piastri’s two-second advantage is the biggest this season between pole and second place.
After an early fast lap from Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll in Q1, the big guns arrived in torrid heat with a track temperature of 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), and the air at 29, punishing conditions for tires on a high-degradation track.
The session was briefly stalled when Alpine’s Franco Colapinto stopped in the pitlane and, after a delay, forced others to undertake him leading to a frantic final two minutes.
Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull was eliminated in 20th and last place along with Colapinto, Williams’ Carlos Sainz — his worst qualifying result at his home event — in 18th, Esteban Ocon of Haas and Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg.
For Tsunoda, it was a major setback as he sought to solve Red Bull’s dilemma in searching for a partner to push Verstappen.
At the front, Piastri topped Verstappen and Norris.
In Q2, McLaren’s duo led the first runs ahead of Verstappen, Russell and a revived Hamilton before choosing not to take a second go as Hadjar shone, taking sixth and splitting the Ferraris.
Out went Alex Albon of Williams, Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson, Stroll and Oliver Bearman in his Haas.
The top 10 shootout began with Piastri lapping in 1:11.836 before Norris overhauled him by 0.017sec for provisional pole on the opening charge.
Russell was third ahead of Leclerc, Verstappen and Hamilton before a late Alonso lap lifted him to fifth amid roaring appreciation.
Cloud cover affected conditions for the second runs as both McLaren men fought for pole with the Australian prevailing.
It was McLaren’s first front row lockout in Spain since 1998.