Saudi’s newest sporting shambles sees nearly no followers at World Masters of Snooker
The opening day of the World Masters of Snooker competitors in Saudi Arabia has been blasted for its low attendance.
There was loads of anticipation within the build-up to the Middle Eastern competitors, which options the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and reigning World Snooker champion Luca Brecel. The match was given some golden Saudi glamour; a golden ball value 20 factors which may be potted if a participant scores a 147 most. The ball may also financial institution a participant a £400,000 money prize if potted.
However, equally to their soccer division, the Saudi Pro League, the intrigue and curiosity initially pushed is but to be recreated within the stands – and the remainder of the sporting world is letting them learn about it.
READ MORE: Saudi Pro League crowd embarrassment as below 800 present up for six-goal thriller
READ MORE: Ronnie O’Sullivan will get £400,000 prize if he makes 167-break with Saudi ‘golden ball’
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A screenshot of the opening day of the competitors displayed an indoor area which barely seemed to have crammed 10% of its capability. As the organisers and officers posed for {a photograph} in entrance of the desk, the overwhelming majority of seats had been nonetheless largely empty.
One snooker fan, who was albeit jokingly exaggerating, wrote: “Literally about 3 people in the audience at this snooker”. A second added: “I’ve just been to my local snooker centre & there are more people watching there than there is in Saudi.”
What was your response to the gang on the Saudi Arabian World Masters of Snooker? Let us know within the remark part under
![The Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker event in a scarcely populated indoor arena](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article32270291.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/1_masters-saudi-snookerjpeg.jpg)
(Image: Saudi Arabia World Masters of Snooker)
Luke Littler darts followers can again ‘The Nuke’ in Premier League together with his enjoying shirt
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Luke Littler followers can now purchase the 17-year-old’s enjoying shirt to assist him as he continues to exhibit his expertise within the Premier League.
The darts sensation was solely 16 when he wowed Alexandra Palace on the World Darts Championship (WDC), regardless of a remaining loss to Luke Humphries.
The Nuke will proceed enjoying towards seven of the most effective dart gamers on this planet — Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall, Rob Cross and Peter Wright — in a mini-tournament in a unique metropolis each Thursday till the ultimate in May.
Another snooker fan, who was tuning into the competitors, wrote: “Saudi snooker tournament have just done a walk on introducing all the players in the tournament, one by one, which would get a very rousing reception if there weren’t more players in the venue than there are crowd members”.
A sarcastic viewer joined in on the onslaught by writing: “Good to see a packed out crowd for the snooker.” When beforehand requested concerning the low attendances within the soccer, Saudi Arabian sports activities minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal harassed their sporting growth remains to be in its infancy.
![Ronnie O'Sullivan celebrates victory in the MrQ Masters Final. Ronnie O’Sullivan put his World Grand Prix success down to buying an air fryer and smoothie maker and not eating junk food. Issue date: Monday January 22, 2024](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article32270324.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Ronnie-OSullivan-File-Photo.jpg)
(Image: PA)
“It’s building blocks… I’m sure that next year we’ll have more attendance,” he stated to the BBC. “Like anywhere in the world there’s some matches that attract much more audience than others, but all of our big matches have attracted record numbers so far… we’re broadcasting to 147 countries around the world.
“When we deliberate to develop the league we by no means thought that we’d do it with such tempo, however to see that’s truly refreshing and it truly showcases the significance of this. Our focus is to develop our league to draw the most effective on this planet.”