China Open Future Secured
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The future of the China Open has been guaranteed for at least the next five years thanks to a new agreement between World Snooker and the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association.
The first World Ranking Tournament in China was staged in 1990 and the popularity of snooker in the region has since grown dramatically.
Under the new agreement, the CBSA will underwrite the staging and prize money costs of the tournament, and in return will be able to sell commercial rights for the event.
This will be done via International Sports Limited, which was appointed as the official promoter at a press conference in Beijing on Saturday.
Nicky Fuller, World Snooker’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “This is an excellent deal commercially as well as for the fans and the players. Our ambition is to develop the popularity of snooker globally and this safeguards the presence of a ranking event in a key growth area until at least 2011.
“The fact that the 2005 China Open final in Beijing, won by Ding Junhui, was watched by 110 million people on CCTV underlines the level of enthusiasm for snooker in China and the commercial possibilities.
“The expertise of International Sports Limited ensures that sponsorship and other revenue streams can be exploited.”
At the press conference in Beijing to announce the agreement, Zhang Xiao Ning of the CBSA said: "We are delighted to have worked with World Snooker in laying the foundations that have made these new partnerships possible. This will enable the China Open brand to continue its growth - we have a strong team now and I look forward to mutual success.”
Kang Wei of International Sports Limited said: "Our decision to add the World Snooker China Open to our portfolio is a result of observing the growth of the event over the last two years. International Sports specialise in identifying new and exciting international events which are experiencing growth in the region.
”With the work of our parent company (Beijing state owned assets management), which is now preparing and managing 2008 Olympic venues, we are confident our contributions will secure and enhance the event later this year.”
Jiang Heping of CCTV5 said: "Snooker remains a leader in terms of our viewing figures. We look forward to seeing more Chinese stars coming to the forefront during the coverage - following in Ding Junhui’s footsteps."
Sun Kang Lin of the Beijing Sports Bureau said: "The Beijing Municipal Government has witnessed the increasing success of this event over the past two years and realises how important it has become for the citizens in Beijing - the event still has an opportunity to grow and we are pleased now to lend our full support."
Simon Leach, World Snooker’s chief representative in China, added: "I would like to thank our partners in China - particularly the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association, CCTV5 and more recently International Sports Limited, and the Beijing Sports Bureau for their commitment and support in helping us to build relationships that have led to today’s announcements."
Mark Williams won last season’s China Open when he beat John Higgins in the final and will defend the title at the Student Gymnasium in Beijing from March 25 to April 1.
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