Snooker stars on cue for Newport?

The Regal Welsh ends its 11-year existence this week when stars like world title holder Peter Ebdon and former global kings Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Steve Davis and Cwm's own Mark Williams cue up at Cardiff International Arena.

A ban on tobacco sponsorship in sport means that the Regal Welsh will be no more after the current event, which begins tomorrow and ends in the final on Sunday.

But the sport's governing body, World Snooker, have confirmed that a Welsh Open will be back on the calender for the new season and they are looking for a sponsor for it to replace Imperial Tobacco, Regal's parent company.

And a top venue in Gwent could be on the list of places the tournament will go instead of the CIA, with Newport a distinct possibility.

World Snooker are thought to want to switch away from the capital city venue because it's too costly.

Nobody from World Snooker would comment on the Welsh Open coming to Gwent although Newport Centre, where the tournament first began in 1992, is believed to be out of the running.

There were serious doubts last year that the Welsh Open would carry on after this week's tournament.

However, WS spokesman Bruce Beckett confirmed that a revamp of the professional snooker schedule for next season would definitely include a Welsh world ranking event.

Beckett said: "I can say 100 per cent that the Welsh event is to take place and that it will be a world ranking event.

"And we are going out to look for a sponsor for the event.

"We want to have a British Open, a Scottish Open, Irish Open and Welsh Open. At the moment, we are re-scheduling the season and all will be revealed prior to the World Championships in Sheffield (in April)."

Former world number one Stephen Hendry wrecked the dream of Gwent's own Darren Morgan lifting the trophy in that first final in Newport 11 years ago, beating the Cwmfelinfach-born potter 9-3.

But Williams has been crowned as Welsh Open champion twice, once in 1996 in Newport and again in 1999 at the CIA.