Snooker set to stay in Sheffield
At a press conference at the Crucible today, Sir Rodney Walker, Chairman of WPBSA, announced that an agreement has been reached which will keep the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible until 2014.
Sir Rodney, together with officials from Sheffield Council, revealed that an 'in-principle' agreement has been reached with the various Sheffield Agencies, to ensure that snooker will stay at its spiritual home for the next five years.
It was also revealed that China, who would love to take the event East, put in a high bid, but on balance the offer made by Sheffield, together with the cornerstone BBC Contract was enough to keep the event in the UK.
Mark Allen, of one the game's up and coming stars, was delighted with the news saying
"When I was a youngster growing up, it was what we all wanted to achieve. To be able to play at the Crucible. I'm really glad it's staying here."
Steve Davis was also glad to hear the news commenting "I've got fantastic memories here so it will always be a special place for me.
"I've always said that it would need a very good reason to move the event away from Sheffield. It's the snooker city and everyone associates this event with the Crucible."
Councillor Paul Scriven, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: "Sheffield is the home of world snooker and we were determined that it stays here.
"This is excellent news not only for Sheffield and Yorkshire but also for snooker fans in this country who come to the city to enjoy the sport and for the millions of people who watch their heroes in action on television around the world.
Councillor Scriven also acknowledged that snooker makes a major contribution to the local economy in Sheffield. "The snooker brings in over £3 million to the local economy every year and over 18,000 bed nights are sold, so you can see how important it is for us."
