World Championship Snooker: Snooker's World Championship is to stay in Sheffield until 2014 after an extension to the existing contract was announced today. The tournament has been staged at the city's Crucible theatre since 1977, however Chinese officials were keen to take it to the Far East.
World Snooker’s deal with the Sheffield authorities had been due to expire after next year’s event, however it was confirmed at a press conference this afternoon that a three-year extension has been agreed.
Rodney Walker, chairman of World Snooker, made the announcement along with Sheffield City Council leader Paul Scriven.
Walker said: “I am absolutely delighted to tell you that after quite prolonged discussions the city council and World Snooker have agreed a provisional agreement at this stage which will see the World Championship stay here in Sheffield until 2014.
“I know that Sheffield City Council have received a lot of support from the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and the tourist board Welcome To Yorkshire, all of whom have played their part in putting together an offer which World Snooker was very pleased to accept.
“This guarantees that the event will stay in Sheffield now for at least five further years.
“There is an option for a further year subject to a decision yet to be taken on expanding the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.”
Despite describing the decision as “provisional”, Walker stressed there was “no doubt the deal is going to be done”.
Cllr Scriven said: “We feel like Stephen Hendry did this morning. We feel we’ve got a 147 break.
“We continue to be a good friend and ally of World Snooker and will ensure we do all possible to ensure snooker isn’t just retained here until 2014 but beyond as well.”
Quarter-finalist Mark Allen accompanied the pair for the announcement, and said: “It’s brilliant for the Worlds to be held here in Sheffield.
“It’s great that there’s going to be another five years.
“I remember starting out as a young person coming into the sport you dream about playing here at the Crucible. There’s a lot of history attached.
“It speaks volumes for the governing body and Sheffield City Council that it’s being held here for another five years.”