The city of Ashdod in the south of Israel was honored to host snooker legend Jimmy White.
Invited by the israel Snooker Association - to promote peace in the troubled region through
a snooker initiative - Potting for Peace.
The event took place at the newly developed facility that has been equipped to host future international
tournaments and exhibitions that will place Israel firmly on the snooker map.
The highlight of the evening was to be a series of matches between Jimmy White and the
best of Israeli and Palestinian players who would play alternate shots against against
the six-time world champion finalist.
This event was highly anticipated by press and television alike.
A meeting had been arranged between Jimmy and former Israeli President
and Nobel peace prize winner - Shimon Peres but due to absence out of the country
this occasion was deferred until Jimmy's next visit expected to occur within the very
near future.
Following interviews with TV and Press - Jimmy was introduced in front of a sell-out
crowd by Shai Eisenberg chairman of the Israel Snooker & Pool Association.
On entering the G2 Arena - Jimmy was full admiration and with no little surprise
expressed the view that without doubt this had to be one of the best snooker clubs
anywhere on the circuit.
The evening started with Jimmy's talent tested by playing with one hand and
a long pot screw back against Israels finest.
Jimmy then played 3 frames against three of israel's top players who although
acquitting themselves honorably were not able to overcome the snooker legend.
In front of hundreds of enthusiastic and good-natured snooker fans in which
both israelis and Palestinians mixed together without difficulty it was time for
the main event - Potting for Peace.
Jimmy played against top Palestinian player - Mohamad Salhab and
the six-time Israeli champion - Roy Fernandez.
Both Israeli and Palestinian playing as a team excelled themselves and were
able to tie with with the former world number one over two tense frames that
had the watching hundreds spellbound.
At the end of the evening - Jimmy, Roy & Mohamad salhab were each
presented with an Ambassador of Peace Trophy by Shai Eisenberg.
In a statement issued after by Shai Eisenberg chairman of
the Israel Snooker Association stated;
"The night was a huge success. For both promoting snooker in Israel and
showing that through sport we can leave our differences outside. We hope
that this message can be spread around the world.
Let's focus on collaborating together for a better future.
There is already a lot of interest to take this format around the world to
many other countries, and have a strong statement that sport in general
and snooker specifically should and can be above all political differences."
Mohamad Salhab remarked: " I believe that snooker should be very far from
politics, and if i was the president, i would make everyone to play snooker
since it is such a peaceful yet riveting game.
Roy Frenandez said: " this is a dream come true. me and Mohamad practice
together for some time preparing to this match. I am very honored to be a
part of this beautiful collaboration
Jimmy White added: " This whole event was for me absolutely thrilling.
I was asked by the Israeli news channel, if I thought that such an event
could really help ending conflict
I pointed out hat America were not even communicating with China
until they played ping pong, so i definitely think this would be a good
a start as any towards a positive outcome.
I would personally want to thank the Israeli Association
and Shai Eisenberg & MercyMen Productions for making
this event so memorable".
This was my first trip to Israel and most certainly not my last
