In one of those highly suspicious coincidences it was disclosed just 24 hours earlier that the Chinese want the tournament to be held in their country. That kind of revelation can only distort today's discussions, between Sheffield council chief executive John Mothersole and Sir Rodney Walker, chairman of snooker's ruling body, the WPBSA.

It leaves the city's delegation on the defensive, once more appearing desperate to keep the competition at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, which has become widely accepted to be the natural home of snooker.

There is a strong argument that the event would attract an even bigger audience if it was staged in China, where the game has a fanatical following, we are told.

But the sport's governing body should realise that their reputation would be sorely damaged for quitting Sheffield and the UK. It would be seen as abandoning their British fans, as the time difference between China and Britain would sound the death knell for live UK TV coverage. Snooker's rulers should remember where their loyalties lie.

Time for hope has long passed us by

THIS column has said before that local and central governments need to reconsider their priorities and policies as the economic machine turns full circle. Encouragingly, this view is today echoed by Rotherham MP Denis MacShane who emphasises: "It is no longer business as usual for Downing Street and it is no longer business as usual for town halls."

He uses this argument as part of a wake-up call to civic leaders to join with business, union and university leaders to come together in a regional 'economic ware cabinet' to ensure that the ordinary men and women of South Yorkshire get some help in weathering the credit crunch storm.

His suggestion has much merit and should be acted upon hastily. The time for hoping the crisis will pass us by has long gone.