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Hearn's snooker vision accepted by players

World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairman Barry Hearn saw his blueprint for snooker's future accepted at an Extraordinary General Meeting in Sheffield yesterday.

The top 64-ranked players voted 35-29 in favour of Hearn's plan, which includes a variety of new tournaments for the coming season such as a quick-fire Shoot-Out event, a ranking event in Germany, a World Seniors Championship and a Player Tour Championship series.

"I'm delighted by the outcome," said Hearn. "I do not under-estimate the challenges that lie ahead, but for the moment snooker is united and the future looks rosy.

"I owe the game a lot and I will make sure that I will be giving 100 per cent every day to bring it to the level at which it should be operating."

Hearn beat off a rival bid from former Olympian and City investor John Davison. Davison had proposed a 15-year deal which would see players given a £15.6 million prize pot in the first three years, compared with the £13 million promised by Hearn.