World Pool-Billiard Association

The World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) is the international governing body for pool (pocket billiards). It was formed in 1987, and was initially headed by a provisional board of directors consisting of representatives from Australia, Americas, Africa, and Europe. As of 2023, the WPA president is Ishaun Singh of South Africa. It is an associate of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS), the international umbrella organization that encompasses the major cue sports.

World Pool-Billiard Association
SportPool
CategoryCue sports
JurisdictionWorldwide
AbbreviationWPA
Founded1987 (1987)
AffiliationWorld Confederation of Billiards Sports
PresidentIshaun Singh
Official website
wpapool.org

History

In the late 1970s, Kazuo Fujima of Japan invited various European players to compete in the All Japan Championship. This led to cooperation with Europe, being the first time contacts between Europe and Asian associations had been made. However, most of the efforts were initiated by individuals, and progressed slowly. By the mid-80s, many European players, who had the European Pool Championship as their highest level of competition, have been aware of pool events in the United States and were dissatisfied with the development of the sport in the continent, and wanted to compete at a higher level.

In November 1987, at a European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) board meeting in Germany, the idea of a worldwide competition resurfaced. The EPBF board members used their own money to fund a group to create a logo, letterheads and communications with various pool organizations. Kazuo Fujima of Japan replied that Asia was interested in participating.

In May 1988, the group's general assembly was held in conjunction alongside the European Pool Championship in Stockholm, Sweden. The group formed a provisional board that consisted of Kazuo Fujima (Japan), Paul Gerni (USA), Jorgen Sandman (Sweden), and Horst Vondenhoff (Germany).[1]

In March 1990, the inaugural WPA World Nine-ball Championship was held in Bergheim, Germany. The playing field included 32 men and 16 women in separate divisions, and has since become an annual event.[1]

On March 3, 1990, the World Pool-Billiard Association was sanctioned by the general assembly as the international governing body for pool. The acronym WPA was selected so it would not conflict with the existing Women's Professional Billiard Association (WPBA).[1]

Membership in the WPA has grown since its inception. In 1991, Australia and New Zealand, under the umbrella of the Australasian Pool Association, became members. In 1999, the organizations associated with Latin America and the Caribbean became members, and in 2000, a substantial portion of the organizations from Africa joined.[1]

Currently sanctioned tournaments

Member confederations and countries

The WPA members are grouped by six continental/regional confederations, who in turn, consist of members from a country's national federation. The chart and table shows the WPA's members as of September 2022:[2]

Map of member countries as of November 2011 (July 2008 data also available)
Organization
(and map key color)
Member Countries
All Africa Pool Association (AAPA)[2]

 Algeria
 Cameroon
 DR Congo
 Egypt
 Eritrea
 Eswatini
 Ethiopia
 Ghana

 Kenya
 Lesotho
 Libya
 Malawi
 Mauritius
 Morocco
 Nigeria
 Zambia

 South Africa
 Tanzania
 Tunisia
 Uganda

Asian Confederation of Billiard Sports (ACBS)[2]

 Bangladesh
 Brunei
 China
 Chinese Taipei

 Doha-Qatar
 Hong Kong
 India
 Pakistan

 Indonesia

 Iran

 Japan
 Kuwait
 Lebanon
 Macau
 Malaysia
 Maldives

 Philippines

 Saudi Arabia

 Singapore

 South Korea
 Sri Lanka
 United Arab Emirates
 Vietnam

Billiard Congress of America (BCA)[note 1][2]

 Canada

 United States

Pan-American Billiard Confederation (CPB)

 Argentina
 Aruba

 Bolivia
 Bonaire
 Brazil
 Chile

 Colombia
 Costa Rica
 Curaçao
 Ecuador
 Guatemala

 Honduras

 Mexico

 Nicaragua
 Panama
 Peru
 Uruguay
 Venezuela

European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF)[2][3]

 Albania
 Austria
 Belarus
 Belgium
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
 Croatia
 Cyprus
 Czech Republic

 Denmark
 Estonia
 Finland
 France
 Georgia

 Germany
 Great Britain
 Greece
 Hungary
 Italy
 Latvia
 Liechtenstein
 Lithuania
 Luxembourg
 Netherlands
 North Cyprus
 Norway
 Ukraine

 Poland

 Portugal
 Romania
 Russia
 Serbia
 Slovakia
 Slovenia
 Spain
 Sweden
  Switzerland
 Turkey

Oceania Pocket Billiard Association (OPBA)[2]

 Australia

 New Zealand

 Tahiti

Board members

As of 2023, the WPA board consist of:[4]

  • Ishaun Singh (South Africa), President
  • Shane Tyree (North America), Vice President & Sports Director
  • Javiera Rivera (South America), Board Member
  • Melvin Chia (Malaysia), Board Member
  • Stuart Rogers (Australia), Board Member
  • Jorgen Sandman (Sweden), Board Member
  • Kelly Fisher (Great Britain), Player Representative

See also

Notes

  1. The BCA is a single organization, without separate national US and Canadian federations. It pre-dates, and was a founding member of, the WPA.

References

  1. "WPA History". WPA Pool. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  2. "Continental Members". World Pool-Billiard Association: The Official Website for the World Governing Body of Pool. World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA). Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  3. "Members of EPBF". EPBF.com. European Pocket Billiard Federation. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  4. "WPA Board". WPA Pool. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
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