PM's visit 'shows global importance of World Snooker in Sheffield'
A visit by the Prime Minister to Sheffield to discuss World Snooker shows just how important it is to the UK.
Former sports minister and Sheffield MP Richard Caborn said he had no doubt organisers World Snooker Tour would take seriously any proposal that had support from the very top of government
Sir Keir Starmer’s surprise visit to The Crucible was also a “credit to Sheffield.”.
It comes as council chiefs battle to keep the contest in the city.
The Crucible has been the home of the annual contest since 1977, but a contract to stage the event runs out next year.
The Star understands the PM met council chiefs and local businesses and was impressed with the facilities and the people he met.
Mr Caborn said: “If the Prime Minister makes it clear that this is important I have no doubt World Snooker would take any offer very seriously.
“He didn’t need to come to Sheffield, he could have phoned Barry Hearn direct to discuss a deal. The fact he made a specific visit is a feather in the city’s cap.”
Mr Caborn said the World Snooker Championships was one of the global sporting events that gave the UK immense soft power.
When he was sports minister, counterparts from overseas would arrange meetings with him in the morning and attend an event in the afternoon such as Wimbledon, Twickenham, Lords, the racing and snooker.
Such visits, including by members of the International Olympic Committee, also helped the UK bag the Olympics in 2012, he believed.
He added: “We are blessed with some of the best sporting events in the world. The Prime Minister’s visit shows how important snooker in Sheffield is globally.”