WPBA Announces Formation Of The First International Regional Tour

The WPBA is delighted to announce that Mr. Yung Hui Tu of Taiwan, has formed the first WPBA sanctioned International Regional Tour; the WPBA Taiwan International Regional Tour (TIRT).  This IRT hails a new era in WPBA history, offering players from Taiwan and other countries to compete for their chance to qualify for the WPBA Regional Tour Championship (RTC).  Top finishers from the RTC will earn their “Q” Card into the upcoming WPBA Classic Tour Season and will be invited into all WPBA Classic Tour Events (excluding the US Open and the Tour Championship).   

Belinda Calhoun, WPBA Board Member and on the Regional Tour Committee, is elated about the future of WPBA Regional Tours on the International pool scene, “The globalization of women's pool has been a long range project since the mid to late nineties.  The restructuring of the regional tour program now makes it possible for this undertaking to become a reality.  The WPBA would like to welcome Mr. Tu and the Taiwan International Regional Tour to the WPBA family and is looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

“It is great honor that CTBA (TPE) for the first time has created the first official WPBA Taiwan Women's 9- Ball International Regional Tour”, says Mr. Yung-Hui Tu the President of Chinese Taipei Billiards Association.  Mr. Tu further adds that, “With the APBU as governing body of pool billiard sports in Asia and CTBA acting as organizer we will certainly be collaborating with all our member countries and players to ensure a successful WPBA International Regional Tour in Taiwan.  The APBU not only hopes to be able to send its best players from this tour to participate future WPBA tournaments, but also wishes to take the opportunity to promote and cultivate the level of Asian women's pool billiard sports.”

Towards this end, a series of four individual tournaments will be held in Taiwan, November 26th – 29th, each worth WPBA IRT ranking points; the top ranked player or players from this season will then earn an invite to the WPBA Regional Tour Championship (Date & Location TBD) being held in 2010. Next season will include additional tour stops in TIRT member countries such as Japan.   

The WPBA looks forward to cultivating this new relationship and to expanding into more countries and continents around the world with their new International Regional Tour program.  If interested in becoming a WPBA International Regional Tour, please contact the WPBA office directly.