‘Unfinished Business’: Snooker boss pushes Olympic dream to expand worldwide development
Snooker chief Jason Ferguson has reiterated his burning desire for the sport to be included in the Olympic Games, describing his mission as ‘unfinished business’.
Having previously held the role either side of the new millennium, former world’s top 32 ranked player and three-time Crucible qualifier Ferguson has been the Chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) since 2010 when the Barry Hearn administration took over the running of the top-flight game.
The WPBSA is snooker’s governing body, and the World Snooker Tour is essentially the promotional arm that organises and runs the professional circuit.
Ferguson, who during his first stint as Chairman helped take snooker to the World Games in Japan in 2001, has overseen big changes to the amateur side of the sport over the past decade under his tenure.
The World Women’s Snooker Tour has expanded into an international circuit providing a direct pathway to the professional ranks, meanwhile World Disability Billiards and Snooker was created in 2015 and has enjoyed great success, with a potential return to the Paralympics beckoning.
The World Seniors Snooker Tour - along with its creator Jason Francis - has also gone from strength to strength in recent times, providing a second wind for experienced players who have dropped off the professional circuit, with its annual flagship event the World Championship staged at the Crucible Theatre.
Ferguson says snooker ‘has to be an Olympic sport’
However, Ferguson’s biggest ambition for the sport is yet to be achieved - seeing snooker included in the Olympic Games.
Snooker previously had a bid for the Paris 2022 Games rejected, but Ferguson remains hopeful that the sport will one day take its place at the quadrangular extravaganza.
Whilst in the Far East last month for the professional circuit’s ‘Chinese swing’, Ferguson spoke with journalists at Xinhua about his craving for snooker to spread its wings and provide opportunities for all.
"One goal I have pursued throughout my career and take great pride in is ensuring people everywhere, regardless of geography or wealth, get an equal chance to turn professional and compete for titles. The talent-support framework that proved successful when first implemented in China is now being rolled out across the globe.
"I'm getting old, but I have unfinished business in snooker. Unfinished business is to take snooker to the highest level. For me as an administrator, I want to see our development opportunities worldwide expand even further. Snooker is still in some countries seen as a sport that sits just outside mainstream sports. China has adopted snooker where we see it in schools. It's not the same everywhere in the world.
"The reason I want to go to the Olympic Games is I want equal opportunities for every single sport and every single sports person. It is deeply ingrained in my DNA to do that. We have to be an Olympic sport.”
STAN MOODY AT 15 🤯
— World Snooker Federation (@WorldSnookerFed) June 29, 2026
Stan Moody showing his skills during the 2022 WSF Junior Championship - his debut year 👏
Just over four years later, he made his debut at the Crucible 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ZbTXxViYgy
‘Funding will open up’ if snooker enters the Olympics
Several years ago, snooker’s Olympic vision was dented when a previously united front consisting of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) - who used to run the World Amateur Snooker Championship - and the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS) split from the WPBSA.
That led to the WPBSA creating the World Snooker Federation and running it’s own Championships which carry professional tour cards. The governing body also organises the Q Tour which has expanded in recent years.
Fans appear divided on whether snooker should be pushing to become an Olympic sport, but there could be significant benefits if it were to receive such status, such as potentially unlocking external funding.
Ferguson explained: "If we enter the Olympic Games, funding for the development of snooker will open up in every country in the world, even territories where we are not currently doing well.
"That's what excites me about the Olympics, and who knows where the next Zhao Xintong, Ding Junhui, Wu Yize and Ronnie O'Sullivan will come from?
"But the Olympic Games are really the feeder system for sport development. And of course, what would make me prouder than seeing athletes in snooker on a podium, receiving medals in the great name of their own nations?"