SPOTY POTTY
World champ Ronnie’s joy at becoming first potter in two decades to be nominated for Sports Personality of the Year
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN says he’s honoured to be the first snooker player for 21 years to be nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.
He is one of six nominees for this year’s annual accolade, having finally been given lifetime recognition for his incredible achievements on the green baize.
Stephen Hendry was the last snooker player to be nominated for the prestigious award in 1999, but six-time world champion Steve Davis was the last player to win the title in 1988.
“It’s exciting to get the nomination, it’s a great honour,” said O’Sullivan. “I grew up watching the awards on the TV. It’s great to be part of the final six.
“It’s been a funny year with Covid and there’s been no Olympics, so you usually have a few Olympians in there if they do well.
“But snooker has lost its pecking order over the years in the sporting world. Tennis, golf and Formula One are massive sports and have gone in there ahead of it. But I don’t think it was that much of a reflection on me that they didn’t want to give it to me, I just think snooker has kind of lost its way.
“Anything like this is great for snooker, I’m just happy to be able to be in a position to be nominated.
“If it helps grow snooker and elevate its popularity, then that’s fantastic. I’m honoured.
“Hopefully snooker can get back to the days where players are known for stuff off the table as well as on it.
“Steve Davis was doing baked beans adverts because he was not just a big name in snooker, he was a big name full stop. People who didn’t know snooker knew who Steve Davis was. Hopefully snooker can get back to them days!”
O’Sullivan became the oldest player, aged 44, to win the World Championship since Ray Reardon in 1978 when he claimed a sixth Crucible crown in August.
But not since Davis 32 years ago has a snooker player ever managed to win the award.
“I don’t think anyone cou l d question that Ronni e is the greatest of all time,” offered snooker supremo Barry Hearn. “He is a genius and has the X-factor. This nomination is long overdue. Ronnie is controversial and is not always politically correct but give me a player like that any day rather than someone who hides in the shadows.”
THE SPOTY shortlist. Winner announced on December 20 LEWIS HAMILTON, F1 STUART BROAD, cricket HOLLIE DOYLE, racing TYSON FURY, boxing JORDAN HENDERSON, football RONNIE O’SULLIVAN, snooker