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Former world champion Peter Ebdon believes that the forthcoming Bahrain Snooker Championship could accelerate the surge of popularity of snooker in the Middle East.
Ebdon, who lives in Dubai, will be heading to Manama next week for the first-ever world ranking event staged in Bahrain, which runs from Saturday to November 15 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre.
"It's wonderful that we have a tournament in Bahrain," said the 38-year-old father-of-four, who has won seven ranking titles in his career including the 2002 World Championship and 2006 Maplin UK Championship.
"Snooker is very well supported in the Middle East. A lot of people play snooker regularly and there are some very good players. During my time in the Gulf I have practised with a few of the local players and I am impressed with the talent. Hopefully this ranking event will give the development of snooker in the region a boost. I would love to see a tournament in Dubai as well."
Ebdon also hopes that his own game is coming into shape in time for the season's fourth ranking event. "I had a slow start to the season but I felt sharper at the last tournament in Glasgow. I'd love to win a major event this year," he added.
Many of the world's best players including Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Stephen Maguire and Shaun Murphy are set to play in the Bahrain championship.
Tickets can be bought online at www.boxofficeme.com and are also available from Hall Two in the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre in Manama, with prices starting at just BD3.
Another former champion Ken Doherty is also looking forward to the event. "I'm really excited about it," said the Irishman, who lifted the famous trophy in 1997.
"I have met a few of the players from Bahrain while practicing at the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield. I didn't realise until I spoke to them how much people love snooker in the Middle East.
"This should be a great tournament and I hope it will help the development of snooker in the region. Most of our tournaments are in the UK so it's great to have representation in a new territory."
Bahrain will be represented by two wild card entrants - Habib Subah, 25, and Ahmed Goulam, 20. Habib said: "This is a big event that should not be taken lightly. I've been playing snooker for the past 12 years and it takes a lot of training - I will do my best to make my mark in this tournament."
