The inaugural Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker will happen this March in Saudi Arabia, it has been introduced.

The invitational occasion is because of be staged between March 4 and 6 on the Boulevard Area in Boulevard Metropolis, Riyadh.

The brand new event will function among the world’s prime snooker gamers together with the world primary Ronnie O’Sullivan, the world quantity two Judd Trump, and reigning world champion Luca Brecel.

The highest eight gamers from the world rankings plus two wildcards will take part.

Every sport will likely be performed beneath World Snooker guidelines and rules however with the introduction of an progressive new idea.

There will likely be a twenty third ball – colored in gold – generally known as the Riyadh Season ball.

This gold ball will likely be value 20 factors and might solely be potted as soon as all different balls have been efficiently cleared from the desk if a participant is on a most break to make it 167.

The settlement for this event was signed between Eng. Faisal Bafarat, CEO of GEA, and Steve Dawson, chairman of World Snooker Tour, within the presence of HE Advisor Turki Alalshikh, in addition to sports activities promoters Eddie Hearn and Barry Hearn.

HE Advisor Turki Alalshikh mentioned: “We’re thrilled to be internet hosting our first-ever skilled snooker event within the Kingdom.”

“Snooker is watched and performed by tens of millions world wide and we look ahead to welcoming among the best gamers and snooker followers to our nation and displaying them what Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Season has to supply.”

Steve Dawson mentioned: “It’s a nice privilege for the World Snooker Tour to work in partnership with HE Advisor Turki Alalshikh to stage an occasion in Saudi Arabia for the primary time.”

“This can be a large breakthrough for snooker into a brand new territory, and we see this as the start of a brand new journey for our sport within the area.

“We’re trying ahead to being part of Riyadh Season on this implausible new  occasion that includes the world’s finest gamers.

“We will likely be honored to deliver our sport to the wonderful metropolis of Riyadh, and for the native followers this will likely be their first probability to see a few of snooker’s all-time greats.”

In December 2019, WST introduced a 10-year deal to stage a profitable new event in Saudi Arabia.

Whole prize cash was deliberate to be in extra of £2 million, however plans for the occasion have been tabled quickly after on account of the worldwide pandemic.

There had been a lot hypothesis since final yr about whether or not or not a Saudi Arabian occasion could be rescheduled, and for when.

Now, it seems as if the game is lastly dipping its toes into the controversial territory.

Regardless of severe considerations surrounding how Saudi Arabia is run and its human rights file, it has change into more and more frequent in recent times for numerous sports activities to stage tournaments and leagues within the nation.

In response to WST, affirmation on all ten contributors and the schedule for the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker will likely be introduced within the coming weeks.

Featured picture credit score: WST