Post by Liam O'Reilly on Aug 25, 2006 12:20:09 GMT
Snooker's officials have been boosted by the addition of another new sponsor after signing a new three-year deal which sees Royal London Watches sponsor the Grand Prix.
This year the Grand Prix has been moved up to Scotland at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, and it will also have a new sponsor attached to it.
The likes of defending champion John Higgins, new world number one Stephen Hendry and world champion Graeme Dott will be among the top 32 players in the world who will take part along with 16 qualifiers.
Snooker has struggled in recent years with the lack of ranking events and indeed the lack of sponsorship for these tournaments hitting the sport hard.
However, the signing of a seven-figure deal with Royal London Watches to sponsor the Grand Prix is a big boost.
“It's great to have a title sponsor for a tournament with such a rich history,” said 997 World Champion and current world No 2 Ken Doherty.
“The players are proud to be associated with a company as prestigious as Royal London Watches.”
The Grand Prix, which runs from October 21 to 29, will now be boosted by the new deal and Sir Rodney Walker, chairman of World Snooker, is delighted.
“This is an exciting time for snooker and this key deal is a further example that the sport is making vital progress away from the table,” said Walker.
David Stokes, sales director of Royal London Watches, said his company were proud to have their name associated with the Grand Prix.
“Royal London Watches is extremely pleased and proud to be associated with such a high profile sport,” said Stokes.
“We feel snooker reaches out to everyone, it is a sport that most people can play and enjoy.
“We are looking forward to working with World Snooker in making this tournament a resounding success."
This year the Grand Prix has been moved up to Scotland at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, and it will also have a new sponsor attached to it.
The likes of defending champion John Higgins, new world number one Stephen Hendry and world champion Graeme Dott will be among the top 32 players in the world who will take part along with 16 qualifiers.
Snooker has struggled in recent years with the lack of ranking events and indeed the lack of sponsorship for these tournaments hitting the sport hard.
However, the signing of a seven-figure deal with Royal London Watches to sponsor the Grand Prix is a big boost.
“It's great to have a title sponsor for a tournament with such a rich history,” said 997 World Champion and current world No 2 Ken Doherty.
“The players are proud to be associated with a company as prestigious as Royal London Watches.”
The Grand Prix, which runs from October 21 to 29, will now be boosted by the new deal and Sir Rodney Walker, chairman of World Snooker, is delighted.
“This is an exciting time for snooker and this key deal is a further example that the sport is making vital progress away from the table,” said Walker.
David Stokes, sales director of Royal London Watches, said his company were proud to have their name associated with the Grand Prix.
“Royal London Watches is extremely pleased and proud to be associated with such a high profile sport,” said Stokes.
“We feel snooker reaches out to everyone, it is a sport that most people can play and enjoy.
“We are looking forward to working with World Snooker in making this tournament a resounding success."