Snooker‘s Diverging Fortunes in UK and China Highlight Cultural Shift
BEIJING – While snooker thrives in a burgeoning network of public clubs across China,teh sport faces a quiet decline in it’s traditional heartland,the United Kingdom,due to a shrinking of accessible,non-commercial spaces. This disparity, observed by snooker journalist Mike, underscores a broader cultural shift where the UK prioritizes commercial property value over social utility, impacting not just snooker but a wide range of community activities.
The issue, as Mike points out, is fundamental: talent flourishes when nurtured in non-commercial environments. “non-commercial space is the precondition of mastery,” he argues, lamenting the closure of working men’s clubs, leisure centres, and village halls – spaces historically vital for fostering hobbies and skill growth.This erosion contrasts sharply with China’s investment in public snooker facilities, creating a vibrant scene for the sport. While UK athletics benefited from dedicated lottery funding,snooker,and other non-profit pursuits,have ”withered on the vine.” Even basic amenities like pool tables are disappearing from British pubs.
Mike warns that a continued focus on commercial value will transform UK towns and cities into “deserts of chance,” isolating individuals and stifling community life. He references George Orwell’s observation of the British as a nation of hobbyists, a tradition increasingly hampered by a lack of accessible spaces. The contrast is starkly illustrated by the proliferation of public snooker clubs in cities like Beijing, as captured in images from 2024 by photographer Chris Watts, showing professional players Barry Hawkins and mark Selby in action.
“If we accept that property is only about commercial value rather than social utility, we are going to make UK towns and cities deserts of opportunity, not just for snooker but for anything sustaining communities,” Mike concludes.
