Plot to pot bigger audience

Cue sports are preparing to enter a new golden era in China after absorbing a recent decline in participation rates, according to a senior official of the Chinese Billiards & Snooker Association (CBSA).

Wang Tao, the CBSA's vice-chairman and secretary-general, told Xinhua that despite a drop in the number of people playing billiards and snooker, the sports have maintained strong foundations to build upon.

According to Wang, billiards and snooker once boasted participation numbers of around 70-80 million in China. However, with more recreational choices available to the population, that figure is now at about 50 million, while the number of billiards rooms has fallen by 20 percent nationwide.