by fridge46 » 25 May 2015 Read
When it comes to giving tour places to amateurs, World Snooker have a very difficult job in allocating those place. Yes, they should be offered to the best, but World Snooker also need to expand the game. While many disagree that the current allocation is flawed, I think it is just about right - just!
Remember, all players gaining tour places have done so by winning matches/tournaments; they havent been gifted to them on a plate or handed over a big brown envelope. Steve Mifsud, Mohammed Khairy, Floyd Ziegler, etc won tournaments - so in theory should be the best in their region. This how Neil Robertson got on tour - he had a terrible first season, dropped off, requalified and hasnt looked back since. While some who qualify from Asia dont turn up, some do - namely Li Hang who is now a top 64 player. Its not Ju Reti fault if he cant afford to move to England, and its unfair to punish Asia by removing spots where there could be plenty of others who just missed out who are willing to move. [I have an idea for those who cant afford to travel, but this isnt the place]
It cant be easy for these players to leave their life behind, relocate to a new country and expect to compete straight out of the box. I would struggle if I had to move to Africa or Asia, especially if there is no guarantee of an income - thats a lot of pressure.
I think the only fair way to have the best is to remove all qualification spots given out via regional championships and PTCs (on last years Euro OOM, 5 wins in 6 tournaments would have gained a tour card, whilst 6 wins in 3 tournaments in Asia would have gifted one! Reaching the Last 64 five times, in tournaments where many withdrew and the potential for pros to draw amateurs doesnt necessarily mean the best get the spots!) and have a bigger "QSchool".
For next season, 34 spots were available via qschool, regional qualifiers, AT/ET OOM's, etc.
I would have a tournament/s where pros that dropped off tour are joined by regional champions and qualifiers (there can be local tournaments all around the world, but amateurs must earn their spot, not just pay £600 - I dont want an important tournament like this where any Tom, sausage or Harry can turn up!) to get to 128 players or so. And from that, qualify 34 by whatever method (knockout, groups, combined rankings, double/triple elimination, etc).
In the short term, if a player hasnt entered a certain number of ranking events (excluding PTCs, and obviously players with ill health), they should lose their tour card. Additionally, Top-up players should receive a ranking (not necessarily a 2 year card) and the best so many receive tour cards for the next season. Xiao Zintong 100% deserves to be on tour (as do all those who came through qschool), but sadly has to wait another year whilst Mifsud, Reti and Leong do bugger all!