Zhao Songrui, who coaches snooker in the western city of Chengdu, said a Chinese world champion would be a “great boost” for a country that has embraced cue sports like no other. As the sport’s flagship event begins on Saturday, he may soon get his wish.
The annual world snooker championship will be held at its traditional UK home over the next two weeks, but the biggest interest by far will be in China, where top-name matches will be followed by rapt audiences from Shanghai to Shenzhen.
The rapid growth of snooker in China adds to what is already a significant commercial opportunity in the world’s most populous country. An estimated 50m players regularly pick up a cue in China.
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