WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

WPA is considering enforcing their rules Sports Regulation 1.14.1 Competing in non-sanctioned events and prohibit all Athletes from freely deciding what events they may take part in. By enforcing this rule, it would mean athletes are prohibited from joining ALL non-WPA sanctioned events. From the small club tournaments, to Nationals and Regionals, and even commercial events such as Matchroom's European Open, US Open, Spanish Open and even Asian Open events.

WPA has threaten to ban players who take part in these non-WPA events from all WPA events including World Championships.

This will severely curtail the livelihood of professional Pool Athletes who are dependent on joining as many competitions and winning as much prize money as possible. It also runs counter to the goal of promoting the sport and supporting players who are looking to make this sport their career.

WHO ARE AFFECTED?

1. POOL ATHLETES 
   Professional and Amateur across the world are being affected by the decisions of a small group of people in the WPA (World Pool-Billiards Association) who have the authority to dictate the future of the entire sport. 
2. POOL PROMOTERS
   Private enterprise such as Matchroom and many other independent commercial or non-profit organisations will face an increased burden to bring more events to the sport.
   
   
3. POOL FANS
   A decline in the sports events will inadvertently lead to lesser events, less talents emerging, more drop outs from the professional circuit and eventually pool fans will have less tournaments to watch and less opportunities support their favourite athlete.

BACKGROUND ON THE WPA

The WPA board comprises of 7 board members and 1 newly created role of CEO. Much mystery surrounds this organisation who wields such power in the sport. Questions like: 

• How are the board members appointed?
• How is it possible for the original WPA, which was based in the Netherlands, to simply uproot and relocate to South Africa and continue "business as usual"?
• What was the decision to close the WPA (Netherlands)?
• Is there a transparency in decision?
• Do they publish annual accounts?
• Do they pay themselves and how much?
• Is there any remuneration committee?
• Independent directors?
• Independent audit committee?
• Who are the members WCBS, the supposed watchdog umbrella organisation above the WPA?
  • Ian Anderson the current CEO of WPA also sits on the board of WCBS as Vice President
  • Michael Al-Khoury the General Secretary of ACBS is also the Sports Director in WCBS and General Secretary of IBSF
  • Shane Tyree is both a board member of WPA and WCBS
  • Jorgen Sandman is both the General Secretary of WPA and President Emeritus of WCBS
• Can WCBS adequately independently discharge its authority over WPA when they are essential the same people checking on themselves?
• What procedures are in place to prevent conflict of interest and abuse of power?
• Do they did their due diligence in vetting their newly appointed Asian continental member the ACBS before accepting them?
  (ACBS is on its website claims to have 37 member countries under them. This includes countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, Nepal where there is virtually no observable pool or billiards coming out of the country.) Is ACBS (a snooker organisation) democratically representative of the pool nations. Is there any board members from pool countries such as Philippines or Chinese Taipei?
• What is the WPA doing to prevent abuse of power of their continental members? (Eg. ACBS banning individual Singaporean Athletes due to non-pool (English Billiards) related issues they have with the Cuesports Singapore authority, which are as yet unresolved.)

WHY ACT NOW?

WPA general assembly will happen in Qatar on 7 Oct 2023. The decision they take may very likely be a step backwards and a huge regression for the sport if they decide to enforce bans and curtailing the freedom of Athletes to choose which event they want to take part in.

Let our voices be heard and stop WPA from enforcing such draconian and dictatorial rules. Let the pool world flourish with more events and prize money so the sport can grow with more aspiring professionals emerging globally. Athletes should be allowed to take part in competition that best fit their personal schedule, finances and not having to be force to take 10hr flight and suffer jetlag and incur high cost simply because there is no WPA event near where they live.

BY SUPPORTING THIS PETITION

We call on the WPA to:

1. Withdraw the proposed rule enforcement that would prohibit athletes from participating in non-sanctioned events.
2. Hold continental members accountable for abuse of power for political purposes.
3. Review the appointment of continental member by establishing a transparent process.
4. Increase transparency in its decision-making process.
5. Publish annual accounts and disclose the remuneration of its board members.
6. Establish an independent remuneration, nomination and audit committee.
7. Work with private pool promoters and not to alienate them.

We believe that these measures would help to ensure that the WPA is accountable to its members and stakeholders worldwide and that it is working to promote the growth of the sport of pool and not used as a platform for political warfare.