Seven-time world snooker champions Ronnie O’Sullivan is advocating for a plan that would boost the sport in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland and John Higgins has given his verdict
Snooker legend John Higgins has enthusiastically backed Ronnie O’Sullivan’s radical plan to allow snooker in Britian and Ireland to blossom, and would love to be involved. The seven-time world champion has advocated for academies to be launched in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland in a bid to stop a Chinese takeover of the sport.
A record 10 players from China made it to this year’s World Snooker Championship, with four players among the top 16 seeds. Seven of those players are in their 20s, with two Wu Yize and Lei Peifan only 21.
The nation had previously had two seeded players on five occasions, with trailblazer Ding Junhui being the first Chinese player to reach the Crucible back in 2007. The 38-year-old remains the highest ranked player from his homeland.
But China appears set to continue to blossom as a snooker nation. Most of those playing at the Crucible came through an academy in Beijing, and the country has also set up two bases in Sheffield.
And now the Rocket wants to see a new offering across nations. O’Sullivan would lead an academy in England, and Class of 92 rivals Higgins and Mark Williams could front the ones in Scotland and Wales respectively, in his proposal.
