In a surprising turn of events, Ronnie O’Sullivan’s recently opened snooker academy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has officially closed its doors, just months after its launch. The academy, which had generated significant excitement in the snooker community and beyond, was expected to be a cornerstone for the development of the sport in the region. However, unforeseen challenges appear to have brought an abrupt end to this promising venture.
O’Sullivan, widely regarded as one of the greatest snooker players of all time, had personally backed the project. The academy was part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to invest in international sports as part of its Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to diversify the country’s economy and promote sports and entertainment. Given O’Sullivan’s stature, the opening of the academy was seen as a major step in promoting snooker in the Middle East, where the sport is still in its infancy compared to other regions.
The facility was designed to offer world-class training opportunities for aspiring snooker players, with state-of-the-art equipment and coaching staff sourced from top-tier snooker programs worldwide. It was envisioned to not only develop local talent but also attract players and fans from neighboring countries. O’Sullivan had expressed enthusiasm about nurturing new talent and spreading the game’s popularity in an untapped market.
However, reports suggest that operational and logistical issues plagued the academy from the start. Sources close to the project mentioned a combination of difficulties, ranging from staffing shortages to mismanagement. Additionally, local interest in snooker may not have been as strong as anticipated, creating further obstacles for the academy’s sustainability.
The closure is seen as a significant blow to the ongoing efforts to develop snooker in the region. For O’Sullivan, this marks a rare setback in his otherwise illustrious career. Although he has yet to comment publicly on the closure, there is speculation about whether the academy might reopen in the future under new management or if similar ventures might be explored in other parts of the Middle East.
Despite the closure, Saudi Arabia remains committed to growing its sports sector, and while this project may not have succeeded as planned, the country’s ambitions in the world of snooker and other sports are unlikely to waver. The unexpected end of O’Sullivan’s academy, however, highlights the challenges of expanding niche sports into new territories.