WSA looking to establish Malta in its Tour

During the past decade or so, sports organisation Snooker Promotions staged a series of world-class competitions on our shores.

Top stars such as Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, John Parrot, John Higgins and Mark Williams, all former world champions, have taken part in various ranking and invitational tournaments which caught the imagination of many 'green baize' enthusiasts.

Staged in attractive venues such as the Med. Conference Centre and the Hilton, these tournaments earned the praise of one and all in the professional circuit.

So, it was no surprise when earlier this year, the World Snooker Association (WSA) announced another agreement with Snooker Promotions to hold the fifth ranking event of the current Tour - the Malta Cup - between January 31 and February 6.

"The WSA are very excited to be returning to the Hilton," marketing director Graham Anderson said during yesterday's official launching.

"There were other successful tournaments staged here in the past and we are sure that the 2005 Malta Cup will be another great hit. Players and officials always look forward to visit this island. Every time we come here we receive a very warm reception and we enjoy the enthusiasm of the Maltese snooker fans."

Anderson added that it's the WSA's intention to make Malta a fixture in the Tour. He said they will have discussions with Snooker Promotions to keep the professional game in Malta for many years to come.

"We want to take the game to all four corners of the world and Malta is an integral part of our plans," Anderson said.

"The facilities here rank among the best and if Snooker Promotions manage to attract the support required then there should be no problem in making Malta a permanent venue in our Tour."

Joe Zammit, of Snooker Promotions, said after ten years of top level tournaments, the enthusiasm in their fold has not waned.

"We have to admit that it is becoming more difficult to secure the rights of a ranking tournament due to competition from other countries. But at Snooker Promotions, we will intensify our efforts to ensure the continuity of similar competitions in our country," he said.

Zammit's partner at Snooker Promotions, Richard Balani, could not hide his delight at the WSA decision to name the tournament Malta Cup.

"As one can see from the title, the Malta Cup has been given a clear identity, leaving no doubt about the important role our country plays in the professional game," he said.

Local participation in the Malta Cup has never been stronger after the WSA awarded four wild cards which will go to Alex Borg, Joe Grech, Simon Zammit and Duncan Bezzina.

They will play their qualifying match on the opening day of the Malta Cup with the winners joining Malta's top professional Tony Drago in the first round.

Zammit will be the first in action when he faces Mike Dunn on January 31. The winner takes on 2004 UK Championship finalist David Gray.

Grech could set up an all-Maltese clash against Drago on February 1 if he eliminates Tom Ford while Bezzina plays Australia's Neil Robertson with Williams awaiting the victor in the second round.

Borg has again been drawn to play Adrian Gunnell in the qualifying round with the winner going on to meet Graeme Dott. In the Rothmans GP of 2000, Borg lost his qualifying match to the same Gunnell 5-1.

The world's top 16, including no.1 Ronnie O'Sullivan and in-form UK champion Stephen Maguire, will be here. Earlier this year, Maguire lifted the European Open trophy after beating Jimmy White in the final, also at the Hilton Hotel.

The last 16 round, best-of-nine, will be played on February 3 on a three-table set-up. The final will be held over two sessions on February 6 and will be best-of-17 frames. Matches will be controlled by six international referees, three of whom Maltese - Michael Attard Montalto, Terry Camilleri and Paul Galea.

Malta Cup block tickets will be on sale as from January 4 at Lm25 each from Café Veneziana, Valletta; Kids Korner, Hamrun; Munch Café, Gzira; the Billiard Shop, Balzan; and Nine-ball Café Snooker Hall, Qawra. Day and session tickets will go on sale as from January 24 at the Hilton.