Snooker Adds Two World Ranking Event's 2002-03 Schedule
Irish and European Make Eight
Two world ranking tournaments have been added to the calendar for the 2002-2003 season – the Irish Masters and European Open.
The Irish Masters is being upgraded from an invitation event to a ranking tournament and will be staged at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin from March 25 to 30, 2003. It will be broadcast extensively on RTE throughout the week.
Kevin Norton, an integral part of the event since it first started in 1978, will continue in his role as tournament director and promoter in partnership with World Snooker.
Dates and venue for the European Open will be confirmed shortly. It will slot into the calendar in February/March.
The total prize fund for the 2002-2003 season will be £5.9million, spread over eight world ranking tournaments plus the Benson and Hedges Masters.
This is in line with the commitment given to members of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association by World Snooker Enterprises at a players’ meeting in June. WSE were appointed as the new commercial management team of the WPBSA last week.
Richard Relton, a director of World Snooker, said: 'We are delighted to be able to provide two further playing opportunities for WPBSA members.
'This announcement demonstrates that the new commercial management team running snooker is already delivering on its promises to the players.'
It has also been confirmed that the total number of players competing on the Main Tour next season (2003-2004) will remain at 128.
The qualification criteria for future seasons will be subject to review and will be decided in consultation with the players.
Relton added: 'We believe that once the best system is agreed, it is put into effect for a minimum of five years to ensure consistency and security for the players.'
For further information please contact:
World Snooker
Media Office
T: 0117-317-8200
W: www.worldsnooker.com
Two world ranking tournaments have been added to the calendar for the 2002-2003 season – the Irish Masters and European Open.
The Irish Masters is being upgraded from an invitation event to a ranking tournament and will be staged at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin from March 25 to 30, 2003. It will be broadcast extensively on RTE throughout the week.
Kevin Norton, an integral part of the event since it first started in 1978, will continue in his role as tournament director and promoter in partnership with World Snooker.
Dates and venue for the European Open will be confirmed shortly. It will slot into the calendar in February/March.
The total prize fund for the 2002-2003 season will be £5.9million, spread over eight world ranking tournaments plus the Benson and Hedges Masters.
This is in line with the commitment given to members of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association by World Snooker Enterprises at a players’ meeting in June. WSE were appointed as the new commercial management team of the WPBSA last week.
Richard Relton, a director of World Snooker, said: 'We are delighted to be able to provide two further playing opportunities for WPBSA members.
'This announcement demonstrates that the new commercial management team running snooker is already delivering on its promises to the players.'
It has also been confirmed that the total number of players competing on the Main Tour next season (2003-2004) will remain at 128.
The qualification criteria for future seasons will be subject to review and will be decided in consultation with the players.
Relton added: 'We believe that once the best system is agreed, it is put into effect for a minimum of five years to ensure consistency and security for the players.'
For further information please contact:
World Snooker
Media Office
T: 0117-317-8200
W: www.worldsnooker.com