“I have now said to myself, this is your time and you have to take your chance”
Hossein Vafaei
Snooker maybe a global sport but when you think of countries where it is played Iran doesn’t come to the forefront of your mind. However, for the Iranian player Hossein Vafaei the dream has come true and he now competes against other professional players on the main tour. The 23 year old has had to fight every step of the way to play the game that he loves and has been largely responsible for an “Iranian Revolution” in the country, rejuvenating the sport that was last played by British BP workers in the days of the Shah. Snooker was banned in the country for twenty years by the Islamist government for having links to gambling and as a result snooker clubs fell into rack and ruin.
Hossein who was born in Abadan, an oil-rich part of the country was dubbed by his parents as the “miracle kid” at an early age after his father recovered from a coma after being pronounced dead prior to his birth. It wasn’t long before the talented youth started playing snooker; first on a dusty table that had survived the Iran/Iraq war of the 1980s. Success was to follow and it wasn’t long before the 6 year old had grown up and won the World Amateur title.
However, Vafaei’s career has been dogged with obstacles and not as a result of his own making. Due largely to the terrorist attack on the British Embassy in Tehran in 2011, diplomatic ties were severed with Iran and as a result visas were refused to people travelling to foreign countries. Hossein then received a backlash, first from his country who refused to grant him professional status, fearing he would leave the country for good and secondly when he was given recognition Hossein was refused a visa to allow him to play at certain events.
Not only did this cause a headache for World Snooker but also for the player. I have watched several where he wasn’t able to attend and so another player has been given a stay of execution due to the unforeseen circumstances. Despite these constant obstacles, Vafaei has put on a brave face and refused to let this affect his game. I have been watching him and tip him for great triumphs. His all round game is there but still rough around the edges and still requires finesse. His attacking play is superb but he is someone that malfunctions when in play during a televised tournament. His capability is clearly there but like a rough diamond this young man needs polishing and is still rough around the edges.
It is annoying that his Visa issues still do exist as when I see Hossein play he is a joy to watch. Influenced by his father to first pick up a cue, he has battled his way through aversion and I believe he will succeed. He is already a professional and so if halfway there but I do strongly believe that Vafaei will be a top 16 player very soon. It is not a question of if but just when? I praise this Iranian for promoting the sport in his country and was very happy to see audience members wearing the Iranian flag in support at certain tournaments.
Fortunately snooker is now thriving in Iran and there are over 1,400 clubs in the country. People want to play and have missed the days when they could. Iran has taken their snooker hero to their hearts and want him to win. This is a wonderful accolade for a player that can count Judd Trump as a victory scalp in the China Open. Taken under the wing of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Hossein has found a close friend and someone who only knows too well the immense pressure that exists in the snooker world. With such influential people looking after him the Iranian is in a good place and will raise some silverware very soon.
With such influential people looking after him the Iranian is in a good place and will raise some silverware very soon.
