SNOOKER – Bahrain has been awarded the rights to host the 2026 and 2027 editions of the IBSF World Snooker Championships.
This was announced yesterday at the official signing ceremony between the Bahrain Billiards Sports and Darts Federation (BBSDF) and the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF), who will be organising the two major competitions in cooperation with Crowne Plaza Bahrain and Matha Middle East Advertising and Signage.
The agreement follows the kingdom’s exceptional staging of this year’s worlds, held under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sport first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority (GSA) chairman, and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
The event attracted nearly 150 of snooker’s elite, representing 24 countries from around the world and battling it out in four categories – the masters, men’s six-red, men’s under-21, and men’s under-17.
Yesterday’s signing was attended by BBSDF president Monther Al Basri, IBSF president Mubarak Al Khayarin, IBSF vice-president James Leacy, Crowne Plaza Bahrain sales director Kawthar Lanbari, Matha managing director Ealias M Thomas, and Matha management consultant V Abraham.
“It has been an honour to host the IBSF World Snooker Championships this year, and we are very pleased that everybody who came to Bahrain is happy about the setup and our arrangements,” Al Basri told the GDN. “We thank the GSA and the BOC, and we thank the IBSF for their trust and signing with us for another two years.
“This usually doesn’t happen, but they are very happy to hold the world championships here again in 2026 and 2027.”
Bahrain’s first-ever IBSF event was the world juniors in 2005, and the kingdom has stepped up once again to deliver a “10 out of 10” occasion, as described by Al Khayarin.
“As the first IBSF championship after 20 years in Bahrain, it’s been an amazing tournament,” Al Khayarin told the GDN. “The set-up is at an A level – 10 out of 10. The tables are fantastic, the venue and hotel are great, and all the participants are very happy here.
“The BBSDF talked with us about hosting the world championships for the next two years, and we support this as we saw that Bahrain organises a high-level event.”
Al Basri highlighted that he expects more nations and players coming to Bahrain over the worlds’ next two editions, especially with a women’s competition set to feature on the programme.
“We will have five world championship categories next year, as this year we didn’t play the women’s competition, but we will in the upcoming edition,” explained Al Basri, who added that the 2026 event will also be held in July.
“Unfortunately, due to the situation in the region, many countries withdrew from taking part this year, but after having a good reputation, we expect more to participate in the future, and they are most welcome.”
Hosting the IBSF World Snooker Championships will continue to have a positive impact on the local game and its players, stressed the top officials.
“Having this tournament in Bahrain is making the game more popular,” Al Basri said. “It also gives more of a push to the players to play at home, especially as we have more chances to participate – we usually have just two seats if we play outside, but since we are the host country, we get six to eight seats.
“It is a great opportunity for more of our cueists to take part and expose themselves to other high-level players.
“And for all the people who play snooker leisurely in the kingdom, they can come and see the quality of the stars competing in Bahrain. That will be a big difference to see them competing live, as they can learn from the way they play, how they accommodate themselves under pressure, and how they deal with the games.”
Al Khayarin added: “Hosting the world championships here gives a great boost to the game in the Middle East and the GCC, as well as the Bahrain federation. More players can join from the host country, and maybe in the future, we will see gold-medallists again from the Arab world, with a little bit of luck.”
Al Basri credited Matha for a job well done in helping put together this year’s worlds in a short period of time.
“The feedback has been so overwhelming from day one,” Abraham told the GDN. “After all the hard work, we are so glad to hear the appreciation from the players, the delegates, the referees, and the federation people.
“Next year it will be an even greater event. We are well-prepared, and with more time, we can plan things better.”
Also on hand at yesterday’s signing were IBSF treasurer and sports director Joseph Lo along with other BBSDF and IBSF officials.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh