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
TT
20

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."



Brazilian Club Botafogo Hires Son of Carlo Ancelotti as Its Manager

Real Madrid's assistant coach Davide Ancelotti waits for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Alaves, at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, April 13, 2025. (AP)
Real Madrid's assistant coach Davide Ancelotti waits for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Alaves, at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, April 13, 2025. (AP)
TT
20

Brazilian Club Botafogo Hires Son of Carlo Ancelotti as Its Manager

Real Madrid's assistant coach Davide Ancelotti waits for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Alaves, at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, April 13, 2025. (AP)
Real Madrid's assistant coach Davide Ancelotti waits for the start of a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Alaves, at the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria, Spain, April 13, 2025. (AP)

Brazilian club Botafogo has hired the son of Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti as its new manager.

The 35-year-old Davide Ancelotti was handed a contract through 2026 to take up his first full-time coaching job after Botafogo owner John Textor fired Renato Paiva following the team’s round-of-16 elimination at the Club World Cup.

The Italian has worked for more than a decade alongside his father in different roles at Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid. He is also part of Ancelotti's staff at Brazil.

Botafogo is the defending Brazilian and Copa Libertadores champion. Textor recently said he wanted his team to adopt a more attacking style of play.

Brazil's soccer confederation said in a statement that Davide Ancelotti's deal with Botafogo allows him to continue working with the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The younger Ancelotti is expected to make his debut on Saturday against Vasco da Gama in a Brazilian league match.