LONDON: Snooker and billiards are lobbying for inclusion in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association and the World Confederation of Billiards have submitted a bid to win a spot on the Tokyo program.

The sports previously planned to seek inclusion in the 2024 Olympics, but decided to push for 2020 after the IOC passed a resolution in December that allows Tokyo organisers to request the addition of one or more sports.

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson says “snooker has grown at unprecedented levels in recent times and it has been our belief for some time that we should be given our chance on the ultimate global platform for sport”.

Baseball and softball, which were dropped after the 2008 Beijing Games, are considered favorites for inclusion in Tokyo. Squash is also lobbying for a spot.

Published in Dawn January 24th , 2015

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