Wuhan to Play Host as World Snooker Returns to China

China's Ding Junhui in action at the 2018 Shanghai Masters. AFP
China's Ding Junhui in action at the 2018 Shanghai Masters. AFP
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Wuhan to Play Host as World Snooker Returns to China

China's Ding Junhui in action at the 2018 Shanghai Masters. AFP
China's Ding Junhui in action at the 2018 Shanghai Masters. AFP

The World Snooker Tour hailed the "momentous announcement" of three tournaments in China this year, including one in Wuhan, as the return of international sport to the country gathers pace.

Almost all international sports events were cancelled in China after Covid emerged in Wuhan in late 2019, and they are only just returning after travel curbs were lifted.

The World Snooker Tour will stage the first professional snooker tournament in mainland China in four years with the showpiece Shanghai Masters on September 11-17, the WST said.

That will be followed by the Wuhan Open on October 9-15 and the International Championship in November at a Chinese city yet to be confirmed, AFP reported.

Total prize money for three events combined will be more than £2 million ($2.5 million).

"This is a momentous announcement for our sport as we ramp up our return to staging events in Asia," said WST chairman Steve Dawson.

"Throughout the pandemic we have maintained dialogue and relationships with the Chinese Billiards and Snooker Association as well as our key partners and promoters across China.

"This has allowed us to make a fast return to staging key events now that travel restrictions have lifted."

In a nod to snooker's popularity in the world's most populous country, Dawson added: "We will continue to explore opportunities to stage further events in China and beyond."



Injured Real Madrid Goalie Courtois to Miss Champions League Game

 Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper #01 Thibaut Courtois warms up before the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on September 29, 2024. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper #01 Thibaut Courtois warms up before the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on September 29, 2024. (AFP)
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Injured Real Madrid Goalie Courtois to Miss Champions League Game

 Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper #01 Thibaut Courtois warms up before the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on September 29, 2024. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper #01 Thibaut Courtois warms up before the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on September 29, 2024. (AFP)

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss Real Madrid’s match at Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday because of a muscle injury.

Following tests on Monday, Courtois was diagnosed with an abductor injury in his left leg, Madrid said.

Courtois was hurt in the 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league derby on Sunday. He played the entire match at Metropolitano Stadium.

Madrid began the defense of its Champions League title by beating Stuttgart 3-1 at home.

Included in Madrid’s squad was Kylian Mbappé, who missed the derby against Atletico because of a hamstring injury.