JEDDAH: The global superstars of professional pool have opened up about their experience at the 2024 World Pool Championship in Jeddah, hailing the event as the biggest and best of their careers. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport As the jewel in the crown of the World Nineball Tour, the championship is currently making its inaugural appearance in the Kingdom, with the 33rd edition being hosted at the Green Halls until June 8. An event of epic proportions, 128 of the world’s greatest cueists are vying for the sport’s most prestigious title, with coverage broadcast to more than 90 countries. Having competed in major tournaments worldwide, none are better qualified to assess this year’s world championship than the players themselves. Crucially, the assessment has been unanimous: A new benchmark has been set for future editions to emulate. World #3 and former champion Shane Van Boening, widely considered as one of the greatest players of all time, said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen an event like this. This year’s World Pool Championship in Saudi Arabia is probably the best tournament I’ve ever been to in my whole career. I’m glad to have the opportunity to play here and hopefully I can continue being here for a long time. It’s great to see a major pool tournament finally being held in the Kingdom.” This sentiment is shared by Francisco Sanchez Ruíz, the world #1 and reigning champion. The Spanish star stated: “It’s fantastic to be out there defending the world championship in the biggest event ever seen in our sport — I’m living the dream. Walking into the area, I thought ‘Oh my, it’s so big’ — it was very exciting.” While discussing his tournament experience to date, Ruiz insisted that the entire WNT roster welcomed the championship being held in the Kingdom. He added: “Arriving in a new destination is great for players and fans alike. It’s what’s needed for our sport to continue growing globally and the future is even more promising now we’re here.” The World Pool Championship is being staged in Saudi Arabia as part of a major 10-year partnership between the Saudi Arabian Billiards and Snooker Federation, Ministry of Sport, and promoter Matchroom Multi-Sport. Although their collaboration has only just begun, the event organization has received glowing feedback. Germany’s Pia Filler, the current sole female WNT player, said: “It’s the best set-up I’ve ever seen and the best venue I’ve ever played in. It’s an honor to be here in Saudi Arabia and playing on such a stage. It’s an incredible experience for us as players. The country is amazing; the people are super nice, the food is great, and the tournament organization has been excellent.” Singaporean Aloysius Yapp also praised the Green Halls. The world #9 declared: “This is by far one of the most outstanding venues I’ve ever played in so far on the Nineball Tour – and I know it’s going to get even better. Being here this year is the first of many huge steps for the sport in Saudi Arabia and I already can’t wait for the coming years.” Since Vision 2030 was introduced in 2015, over 100 international sporting events have been held in the Kingdom including football, F1, boxing, esports, golf, tennis and more. Scottish cueist and world #5 Jayson Shaw revealed he has watched these events in awe from afar and said he hoped Saudi Arabia could take pool to new heights moving forward. “Having a tournament here is just incredible. We’ve seen what the Kingdom has done with other sports and hopefully they can take pool to the next level too,” he said. “As a pool player, sitting at home and watching the Saudi boxing events and other sports staged here, in my mind I was thinking, ‘Okay, pool maybe is next’ — and here we are. Hopefully over the next five to 10 years, the pool events here will become even bigger and better.” Another player with one eye fixed firmly on the future is Syria’s Mohammad Soufi, the world #29 and 2023 world championship runner-up. He believes holding the event in Saudi Arabia will open up previously unimaginable opportunities for talent across the Arab world. “The World Pool Championship coming to Saudi Arabia is huge for the regional pool scene — it really is great news,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for Arab players now and in the future to show that we can compete with the world’s best and win. We have many really good, talented players in this part of the world — pool has always been popular here and I know the future is bright.”