Snooker

I have lived in Scotland now for just over three years and although I only play billiards I feel it is time someone without bias gives an opinion on the turmoil in Scottish Snooker.
Having attended meetings and met most of the people involved ,listened to both sides,very aggressive in their condemnation of the other I think it would be impossible to resolve the problems in Scottish Snooker as things stand.
The people charge of Scottish Snooker and the rival association hold deep rooted grudges and I am told this has allways been the case.
Now,after several failed meetings with the WSA to try to resolve matters ,the situation is worse.
This has caused the WSA to withdraw the main tour place available to the seasons top ranked player,and should international status be lost there would be nothing meaningfull to play for at all.
We have two associations claiming to be running things and very little information coming from either.
They have gone from being very active in canvassing support to silence.
Two associations and two tournament calendar’s which add up to nothing.
I am not casting blame on one side or the other but at both.
All are to blame for perpetuating this school playground stuff.
The tragedy is that they are not kids but grown men who cannot bury the hatchet.
Neither side is completely right or wrong and mistakes have been made but if the games in Scotland are to survive I think everyone has to draw a line under all that has happened ,properly join one body and vote.
Democratic change from the inside is the only way.
Most of those I have spoken to seem to think they are helping the game,they are not bad people but they are very stubborn and in fact are ruining billiards and snooker in Scotland.
There are quite a few keen players in the east,Edinburgh for example.
Why are they not involved?
Is it politice again?
Can anyone answer that?
There are many talented and keen players of both games in Scotland.
They deserve better.
Roy Bacon
Scotland

Roy, you are an intelligent man and much of what you say, if not all in fact, is true. I have lost count of the number of times I have posted on various websites that all I want is an open, fair and democratic election run properly.

I have been seeking this since my attendance at the Sept 07 board meeting of SSL.

I thought it was going to happen the other week when Mr. Cameron shook the hand of the WSA representative. We know outcome of that “agreement”.

Legal opinion was provided on the voting procedure and ignored, quite simply, with dwindling support the former board now consider democracy to be ” mob rule”.

I’d go in a room tomorrow and have an election, anyone who would not is afraid of democracy, the question, is WHY?

Oh and as for democracy, the snooker players have voted with their feet!

A very helpful and unbiased post Roy and you hit the nail on the head, thank you.