Ian Anderson, the President of the World Pool and Billiard Association (WPA), believes the Damas Eight-ball Pool Championship to be staged in Fujairah next week has lifted the sport's profile around the world.
Anderson said the event, which is in its second year running, has not only raised awareness of the sport regionally but has also helped to inspire pool events across the globe.
"Eight-ball is the favourite pool discipline for a lot of players and since the inaugural Fujairah event last year we have already seen an increase in more eight-ball tournaments around the world," Anderson said from Sydney, Australia.
It is less than a week before the likes of 'The Magician' and 'The Lion' descend on Fujairah for what is expected to be an old-fashioned showdown between the world's best pool talents.
Nine of the current top 10 WPA ranked players in the world have signed up for the Damas World Eight-ball Pool Championship, which will be held at the Fujairah Exhibition Centre from November 8-14.
In the hunt for a share of the bumper $110,000 prize money will be defending champion Efren 'The Magician' Reyes and former world nine-ball champion Alex 'The Lion' Pagulayan.
Add snooker's world No 1 player, Ronnie O'Sullivan, to the mix and you have a lethal line-up that will see the very best facing off for the chance to rule the world in eight-ball pool.
Tournament Director Ahmad Ebrahim is delighted with the support the world's best players have shown the tournament.
"The event has grown in status since last year and we know players from right across the world enjoy playing in Fujairah," said Ebrahim. "We also believe the event helps to improve the standard of our local talent who get the chance to play against the world's very best players."
Anderson could not agree more. "This event has already become a favourite for many players despite it being played for only the second time," he said.
The Championship is held under the directives of His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, and is supported by Shaikh Saleh Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Chairman, Fujairah Department of Industry and Economy and patron of the World Eight-ball Pool Championship.
