The billiards events at the Chengdu World Games kicked off on the 10th, with Chinese-style billiards making its debut on the World Games stage, drawing significant attention. The president of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports, Farouk El-Baki, stated that the internationalization of Chinese-style billiards is accelerating. This marks not only an important milestone for the sport but also brings new development opportunities to the global billiards community.
The billiards events at the Chengdu World Games include three categories: snooker, pool, and carom. For the first time, an eight-ball mixed event—Chinese-style eight-ball—has been introduced under the pool category. As a relatively young discipline in the world of billiards, Chinese-style billiards combines accessibility and competitiveness, with a difficulty level between American eight-ball and snooker.
Farouk is highly optimistic about the future of Chinese-style billiards. He said, « From a fan’s perspective, it’s an enjoyable sport to watch. It’s both entertaining and competitive, with fast-paced action and diverse gameplay. » He also revealed that countries like Egypt have already introduced Chinese-style billiards tables and begun training players. « This year, we plan to host the African Open on the Red Sea coast, featuring Chinese-style billiards. We expect over 150 participants and hope to see Chinese players compete as well. »
« This is a crucial moment and a significant step forward for Chinese-style billiards, » said Sean Singh, Vice President of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports and Chairman of the World Pool Association, regarding its debut at the World Games. He noted that hosting the World Games in China and including Chinese-style billiards—an original Chinese sport—was perfectly timed. « We’ve already seen other countries and regions experimenting with the sport. While China currently leads in skill, the rest of the world will gradually catch up. »
Billiards enjoys widespread popularity in China. According to industry reports, there are nearly 300,000 billiards clubs in the country, with approximately 80 to 100 million enthusiasts, over 70% of whom prefer Chinese-style billiards. In terms of professionalism and commercialization, many domestic Chinese-style billiards tournaments offer prize money exceeding one million yuan, rivaling snooker events.
However, challenges remain in promoting Chinese-style billiards globally. Farouk pointed out that while Chinese players dominate in skill, bridging the gap between China and other countries will be key to future development.
To adapt to cultural and rule differences, Chinese-style billiards is often promoted overseas under the neutral name « Heyball. » Meanwhile, China’s billiards community is actively collaborating internationally, organizing tours and local leagues in different regions to cultivate players and ensure balanced global growth for the sport.
Chengdu World Games
The **Chengdu World Games** refers to the 2021 World University Games (also known as the Universiade) held in Chengdu, China, after being postponed from 2021 to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This major international multi-sport event brought together student-athletes from around the world, showcasing Chengdu’s modern infrastructure and cultural vibrancy. The Games highlighted China’s role in global sports and promoted youth engagement and international exchange.
Chinese-style billiards
Chinese-style billiards, also known as « Chinese eight-ball, » is a popular cue sport variant that originated in China in the late 20th century, blending elements of traditional pool and snooker. Played on smaller tables with larger pockets, it emphasizes strategic play and precision, differing from Western-style billiards. The game has grown into a competitive sport with professional tournaments, reflecting China’s evolving billiards culture and global influence in cue sports.
snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that originated in the late 19th century among British Army officers stationed in India. It evolved from billiards and gained popularity in the UK, becoming a professional sport with global tournaments like the World Snooker Championship. Today, it is a widely televised game known for its precision, strategy, and distinctive green-baize tables.
pool
A pool is a man-made structure designed to hold water for swimming, recreation, or decorative purposes. Historically, pools date back to ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley (2500 BCE) and Rome, where public baths served social and hygienic functions. Today, pools range from private backyard installations to large public or Olympic-sized facilities for sports and leisure.
carom
Carom, also known as carrom, is a traditional tabletop game that originated in South Asia, particularly India, in the 18th century. Played on a square wooden board, it involves flicking small disks (strikers) into corner pockets, similar to pool or billiards. The game remains popular in many countries, often enjoyed as a social or competitive pastime.
eight-ball mixed event
The **eight-ball mixed event** is a competitive format in pool (pocket billiards) where teams or pairs of male and female players compete in the eight-ball discipline, a popular variant of the game. Originating from broader efforts to promote inclusivity in cue sports, this event highlights teamwork and skill across genders, often featured in tournaments like the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) or regional leagues. Its history reflects the growing diversity and social evolution of billiards as both a recreational and professional sport.
African Open
« African Open » is not a widely recognized cultural site or event, so it may refer to a specific local festival, sports event, or artistic gathering in Africa. If it pertains to something like the *African Open golf tournament*, it would be a sports event promoting golf in Africa, often held in countries like South Africa or Mauritius with international participation. For a more accurate summary, additional context about the specific « African Open » would be needed.
Red Sea coast
The Red Sea coast is a historically significant region known for its stunning coral reefs, vibrant marine life, and strategic importance in ancient trade routes. It has been a vital passage for commerce between Africa, Asia, and Europe since Pharaonic times, with ports like Berenice and Jeddah playing key roles. Today, it is a popular destination for diving, tourism, and maritime trade, with cities such as Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh drawing visitors worldwide.
