Has snooker the balls for revival?

The halcyon days when the nation would gather around their TVs to watch grown men hit balls across the green baize are not what they were, according to the World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association (WPBSA).

Last year, snooker’s governing body held six world-ranking tournaments in the UK. However, only two attracted sponsors: the Embassy World Championships and the Benson & Hedges Masters. Despite the fact that all the finals receive BBC TV or BSkyB coverage, the situation is no better this year.

“People do not see the sport as fast-moving and sponsors see its image as frankly boring, ” says Jo Lloyd, PR head for the WPBSA.

Ms Lloyd also informs us it will be her job to promote interest in the current crop of players. If famous snooker livewires Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry are anything to go by, she will have her work cut out.