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Welsh Open snooker tournament to leave Newport Centre | Welsh Open snooker tournament to leave Newport Centre |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Next month's Welsh Open will be the last to be held in Newport, says Barry Hearn, chairman of World Snooker, | Next month's Welsh Open will be the last to be held in Newport, says Barry Hearn, chairman of World Snooker, |
He said he wanted to drive the tournament forward and look at new venues, potentially in Cardiff, to give spectators a better experience. | He said he wanted to drive the tournament forward and look at new venues, potentially in Cardiff, to give spectators a better experience. |
Mr Hearn said he was not criticising Newport, but it was time to upgrade the tournament into a major event. | Mr Hearn said he was not criticising Newport, but it was time to upgrade the tournament into a major event. |
The council said it recognised that a larger venue may be needed as the tournament had grown over the years. | |
Mr Hearn said the contest has been held there for several years, but this would be the last year. | Mr Hearn said the contest has been held there for several years, but this would be the last year. |
'Better treatment' | 'Better treatment' |
"I want to take a fresh look at all of our venues and I want to make sure I am dealing with the right people, and that I can offer customers who buy a ticket a better experience for their hard earned cash," he said. | "I want to take a fresh look at all of our venues and I want to make sure I am dealing with the right people, and that I can offer customers who buy a ticket a better experience for their hard earned cash," he said. |
"And I can give the players better treatment and I can create better events. | "And I can give the players better treatment and I can create better events. |
"I would love to see it in Cardiff and I have instructed our people to have discussions with various venues in Cardiff. | "I would love to see it in Cardiff and I have instructed our people to have discussions with various venues in Cardiff. |
"I am not criticising Newport. Please don't misunderstand that, we have been there for many years. | "I am not criticising Newport. Please don't misunderstand that, we have been there for many years. |
"It's time to upgrade the Welsh Open into the major event, I believe, it can be." | "It's time to upgrade the Welsh Open into the major event, I believe, it can be." |
'Great champions' | 'Great champions' |
Former World Champion and snooker coach Terry Griffiths told BBC Radio Wales the tournament had enjoyed many good years in Newport. | Former World Champion and snooker coach Terry Griffiths told BBC Radio Wales the tournament had enjoyed many good years in Newport. |
"It's slightly disappointing as we have got so many good memories from the Newport Centre," he said. | "It's slightly disappointing as we have got so many good memories from the Newport Centre," he said. |
"All of the great champions have been there." | "All of the great champions have been there." |
Next month's tournament which begins on 19 February will play host to 128 players from around the world. | Next month's tournament which begins on 19 February will play host to 128 players from around the world. |
It will give up-and-coming players the chance to take on established stars like Ronnie O'Sullivan and defending champion Stephen Maguire, in the opening round. | It will give up-and-coming players the chance to take on established stars like Ronnie O'Sullivan and defending champion Stephen Maguire, in the opening round. |
'Fantastic atmosphere' | |
Newport council said it looked forward to welcoming an increased number of players to this year's competition. | |
It said: "We are pleased to hear that World Snooker is looking to develop and grow the Wales Open further and acknowledge that this may require a larger venue. | |
"Players and spectators have praised the fantastic atmosphere at the Newport Centre. | |
"We have enjoyed our partnership with the organisation and would be happy to work with them again in the future." |
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