Jimmy White has pleaded with snooker's rulers not to move the Embassy World Championship away from its traditional home at the Crucible in Sheffield. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association are considering alternative venues when the existing contract between the governing body and the Crucible expires next year.
But White is adamant that the game's blue riband event should remain in Sheffield. He said last night “I've heard whispers of the championship being moved from here. That would be terrible because this was where snooker was born. Wimbledon's for tennis, Wembley's for football and the Crucible's for snooker.”
WPBSA chief executive Peter Middleton, confirmed that a switch of venue is being considered, and said “We are looking at the possibility of taking the event to four or five different centres around the country, much like the Open golf championship. Sheffield can, of course, bid for it, and I appreciate there's a strong argument to keep it right here.”
