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."



UK Govt Pledges $1.2 Billion Investment in Sport

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy meet with the England Women's football team, the Lionesses, at St George's Park, in Staffordshire, Britain June 19, 2025. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERS
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy meet with the England Women's football team, the Lionesses, at St George's Park, in Staffordshire, Britain June 19, 2025. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERS
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UK Govt Pledges $1.2 Billion Investment in Sport

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy meet with the England Women's football team, the Lionesses, at St George's Park, in Staffordshire, Britain June 19, 2025. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERS
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy meet with the England Women's football team, the Lionesses, at St George's Park, in Staffordshire, Britain June 19, 2025. Christopher Furlong/Pool via REUTERS

The UK government has pledged to spend more than 900 million pounds ($1.21 billion) to improve grassroots sporting infrastructure and support major events in the country such as Euro 2028, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said.

More than 500 million pounds would be used to support the delivery of world-class events, including next year's European athletics championships and the start of the men's and women's races of the Tour de France in 2027, Reuters reported.

"This major backing for world-class events will drive economic growth across the country, delivering on our Plan for Change," Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said in a statement on Thursday.

Affirming a commitment made by Nandy's predecessor Lucy Frazer in 2023, the government will also invest at least 400 million pounds in communities around the country to build new or upgrade existing grassroots sports facilities.