The new boss of World Snooker, Barry Hearn, has revealed that Malta no longer features among countries to stage a ranking tournament in future.

The website of the English daily The Guardian, guardian.co.uk, recently said that

obtaining an 11th-hour sponsor was too soon for Hearn’s influence as the new head of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association to be widely felt but much has been happening backstage, notably a meeting with independent promoters.

This has produced a new avowal of common cause and a shortly to be announced calendar that will include a ranking event in Germany, one of the game’s greatest growth areas, which has been nurtured for several years by Shaun Murphy’s manager, Brandon Parker. “Independent promoters on their own don’t have the money to do it,” said Hearn, promising financial support. “Television ratings on Eurosport are spectacular. Other European broadcasters are interested. We’re ready to play a part.

“I don’t mind spending money and perhaps taking a loss to start with if I can see a profit at the end of it. By the same token we won’t be supporting a ranking event in Malta anymore because there’s no potential for growth there.”

Even the Welsh Open will have to do better: “We lose £200,000 a year on it.” It has not had a sponsor since tobacco sponsorship was banned seven years ago although, even a mere 10 days before the event, Hearn was hoping to find one. World Series, founded by John Higgins, the world champion, and his manager, Pat Mooney, will be supported by the WPBSA.