“This will be the perfect place to develop future stars locally and globally!“
Ronnie O’Sullivan
Introduction
Saudi Arabia is adamant about getting involved in all sports with significant investment, sponsorship deals and plenty of razzmatazz. So it was no surprise that Ronnie O’Sullivan would unveil a snooker academy in Riyadh after the delayed Saudi Arabian Open earlier this year. To a wave of flashing cameras, Ronnie, flanked by Head Coach Nigel Bond, WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson and an entourage of Saudi dignitaries, draped in traditional arab wear. This place is hard to walk past with its bright neon signage and stairs that promise a one-time O’Sullivan experience.
The Snooker Dream
No expense has been spared on this academy, and the snooker powers-to-be must rub their hands that such a goldmine venture has been secured using the O’Sullivan name as a bargaining tool. A deal that gives Ronnie a three-year ambassadorial deal. With plenty of Ronnie memorabilia dotted around the walls, this new academy is in Boulevard City in Riyadh. The club has five snooker tables made by Star Xingpai. It is an academy that will be graced by Ronnie every so often, but former professional Nigel Bond will oversee the day-to-day running in his role as Head Coach.
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, was given a cue by Ronnie and the treat of seeing O’Sullivan take shots on one of the tables. Yet is this just a snooker circus, or will Ronnie’s aim of fast-tracking Saudi hopefuls come to fruition? The jury is out on this, but I will always support global ventures. Nigel is a good coach and has already worked with promising young players. With Ronnie’s promise to bring in a few more coaches, this project has legs, but how will it compare to the prominent gun academies in Sheffield? Time will tell.
