Port racks up bid to be snooker city by lining up games greats
HULL IS taking a shot at being a “snooker city,” announcing today it will host a sporting “greats” tournament for the next three years.
Later this month the new Bonus Arena will host some of the greatest ever snooker players, including Jimmy White, Stephen Hendry and Dennis Taylor, who are all taking part in the 2018 UK Seniors Snooker Championship.
The annual show will stay in the city for at least the next three years.
Ahead of today’s draw for this year’s event, council leader Steve Brady said the city was “refusing to rest on its laurels” following its year in the spotlight as City of Culture.
Coun Brady said: “Last month we launched our Conference Champions initiative that aims to bring more large conferences and events, like the UK Seniors Snooker Championship, to Hull.
“Events like this attract thousands of people to the city, spending money in bars, restaurants, shops and hotels, which is a great boost to the local economy.”
“I’m sure – like with everything else – Hull will embrace the UK Seniors Snooker Championship and we can establish ourselves as a snooker city.”
The UK Seniors Snooker Championship is one of the marque events on the international World Seniors Snooker tour.
Jason Ferguson, chairman of World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, said: “Snooker is a booming global sport and we are delighted that Hull has joined us to become our latest snooker city.
“Hull is clearly a city with ambition and we are excited to bring our new World Seniors Tour to the magnificent facilities at the new Bonus Arena.
“I am sure our snooker stars will provide great entertainment and plenty of drama.”
The 2018 UK Seniors Snooker Championship will be staged at the Bonus Arena on October 24 and 25. Tickets start from £8.
There will be six sessions over the two days with the final on October 25.