Higgins supports revolution

Higgins: Supports Hearn

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John Higgins and Stephen Maguire have given their backing to Barry Hearn's plans to revolutionise the game with a series of new tournaments.

The veteran promoter recently became the new chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association and swiftly laid into the current bunch of professional players, branding them as 'lazy'.

With just six tournaments a year to keep them occupied, players on the fringe of the top-16 have been struggling to make the game pay as its popularity with sponsors and fans alike has waned.

However, Hearn has vowed to 'sex-up' the sport and bring it into the 21st century, starting with up to 20 fresh tournaments around the world.

And far from recoiling from the heat of Hearn's words, world champion Higgins is looking forward to taking on a busier schedule.

Fantastic

"It would be fantastic to be worked harder, because we've only had about six or seven tournaments this year, which is not nearly enough," he said.

"He is thinking about over 20 snooker events next year, which would be great. From a marketing point of view, Barry Hearn is a great man to have on board.

"You've seen how he changed other sports, like darts, so we're hoping he can do something similar with snooker. It will be hard but we'll just have to put our faith in him."

Higgins added that Hearn would do well to turn his attentions to Europe, where the Scot believes there is a huge following.

"I think we would like to have more tournaments in Europe because we know there is a big market out there," the three-time world champion added.

"I'm involved with the World Series of Snooker where we went to different European countries and there is a big market.

Perfect

"So we're hoping he can tap into that and have some better places to go and play snooker, because it's better than just going to places like Preston. It would be great to go to different countries."

Maguire backed up Higgins' comments, adding: "From what I've heard, he's talking about running 20 tournaments over the season. If that comes off and we're playing snooker every two weeks, I think it's perfect.

"After the World (Championship), usually that's us for three-and-a-half months, which is a long, long time.

"All you need is two weeks' holiday. It's like everybody, once you're off work it gets pretty boring."