Rome's imprint: A 10-year journey, USD 12 million, and the handshake reshaping the global billiards landscape

People often tell me that billiards is a sport of quiet moments. But looking at what is happening in Rome in late August 2026, I see a stir, a new pulse spreading through the corridors of Italy's sports theater. It is not the sound of a cue hitting a ball, but the sound of contracts being signed, promises about the future being established. The story doesn't begin with a beautiful shot, but with a number: Nearly USD 12 million – the massive investment Predator Group has committed to alongside the World Pool Association (WPA) for the next 10 years, from this point until 2036.

The context of this announcement is set right after the conclusion of the Banca del Fucino WPA Women's 10-Ball World Championship in the Italian capital. Margarita Fefilova Styer, a name not on the list of most-mentioned contenders before the tournament, made history by defeating defending champion Chezka Centeno in the final to reach the world summit for the first time. The moment she lifted the trophy is not just a victory for an individual. For me, it was a living proof that my oft-repeated saying was correct again: "Numbers don't tell the whole story, but they know where the story begins." Margarita's victory is the starting point for a larger story about investment, about faith in the development potential of women's billiards, and about an ecosystem that is gradually changing.

Through the lens of someone who has followed this sport through many major events, from the days of commenting on classic snooker finals in front of a screen to working at international events, I realize that this announcement is not just a contract renewal. This is a redefinition of how an entire system operates. The signature of WPA President Ishaun Singh, along with Predator Group's representatives, not only rescues a sport from the risk of lacking resources but also is the clearest signal of a sustainable development cycle:

First, this money is channeled into various disciplines. This includes not only the women's 10-ball branch – the showcase event just held – but also wheelchair events (Predator Wheelchair Open) for athletes with disabilities, a branch that I believe is in great need of attention to develop appropriately. The appearance of Henrik Larsson, the wheelchair event champion in Rome, among those honored, signals that the WPA is not just talking about diversity and inclusion.

Second, the operation of the FUJIFILM Women's Doubles Master Showdown, where Kristina Tkach and Chou Chieh-Yu took the top spot, shows a clear strategy to innovate competition formats, attract audiences, and create more appealing media products. Gone are the days when only the 9-ball or 8-ball disciplines received the lion's share of investment, leaving the market stagnant due to a lack of creativity in organization. Based on my years of experience observing tournaments, seeing a corporation sponsor systematically like this is one of the critical factors in retaining athletes in their professional careers.

This handshake becomes even more meaningful when we look at the broader picture of the sport. Over the past decade, I have witnessed many times top players struggling between maintaining their rankings and covering travel costs to international events. It's a paradox of a sport with high entertainment value but a fragile economic foundation. Therefore, a long-term financial commitment until 2036, as in this case, will help young players have a clearer career path. They can be more secure about their prize money and playing conditions, thus focusing on perfecting their skills.

I still remember the moment after the 2026 World Cup final when I faced criticism about mispronouncing a player's name. It was a lifelong lesson about respecting identity in sports. Looking at the list of winners in Rome this year – an American player of Russian descent, a Swedish wheelchair athlete, and a pair from Eastern Europe and Taiwan – I realize that the WPA's outreach to various athlete groups is also a way to respect diversity, a step that protects their own future.

Most observers agree this is a wise decision. However, as someone who has witnessed many times grand ambitions stumble upon practical obstacles, I believe we need to view the blind spots in this strategy carefully. Although the USD 12 million is a massive sum, the question of sustainability over ten years remains open. The strategy to retain audiences should now rely not only on prize money. Has the development of youth training systems and promoting athlete images on mainstream media platforms been properly weighed? An athlete might come for the prize money, but to stay, they need a love for the sport and support from fans. An increase in the number of tournaments per year, if not carefully scheduled, could lead to overload and affect the professional quality of the players.

The rumored figure of USD 100 million in some earlier reports was also a psychological shock. When the actual figure came in lower, a segment of the audience felt a sense of disappointment. But in my view, it is a wise adjustment reflecting actual spending capacity in the current economic climate. Margarita Fefilova Styer's story shows we are in an era where even non-top-seeded players can make headlines if they are given regular competitive opportunities. Financial stability behind the scenes is the missing piece to complete the picture of an attractive tournament.

From a global perspective, harmonizing rules among 8-ball, 9-ball, and 10-ball disciplines is also a big question mark. This is why I call this a 'strategic handshake,' not just a sponsorship contract. Unifying different competition systems, developed separately over many years, is an extremely difficult task requiring a governing body with a unified voice, something the WPA is striving toward.

The final night in Rome was a wonderful experience for me. As the stage lights began to dim and the crowd left the stands, I caught a glimpse of a highly metaphorical scene: a broken cue being meticulously repaired by a technician replacing its tip. I was reminded of the motto I often use to end my analytical pieces: "A major event doesn't end when the final whistle blows; it begins when the lights go out." For women's billiards, perhaps the most spectacular scenes are yet to be displayed. For me, that is not a rhetorical question. It is an affirmation that a new chapter for this sport begins right now in the Eternal City, with an ambitious bet from managers who dare to envision a future far beyond what they have achieved today.