WPBSA chief dismisses claim over black players

The head of snooker’s world governing body has dismissed an accusation that there is no pathway to the top for black players and insists the sport is a meritocracy.

Northamptonshire cueman Rory McLeod, whose parents came to Britain from Jamaica in the 1960s, has claimed snooker authorities are “not doing anything” to encourage black players to come through the ranks.

That is a view which Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Snooker and Billiards Association (WPBSA), plans to discuss with the world number 53, who is the only black professional on the tour.

But Ferguson does not believe there should be any extra push to target the black community.

“No no, I think the idea is to target all communities,” he told Press Association Sport.

“Where you’re from – your race, your religion – it bears no relevance in our sport whatsoever.”

Ferguson and McLeod briefly spoke yesterday at York’s Barbican Centre, where the UK Championship was getting under way.

Speaking to BBC Sport, McLeod said: “There could be a lot more (black players) but the opportunities are not there. Most snooker players have money and support behind them, to have that in the snooker business for black people is not something that exists.”

McLeod, now 45, won his first tour title at the Ruhr Open last year but is not a household name.

Meanwhile, former UK championship winner Jimmy White exited the competition on the opening day yesterday.

The 1992 champion crashed 6-2 to Welshman Ryan Day, but there were wins for leading names Ding Junhui, Marco Fu, Barry Hawkins and Judd Trump, who beat veteran James Wattana 6-2.