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With the whole nation setting its sights on home prodigy Ding Junhui, Asian No. 1 James Wattana said Ding is not everything in China's snooker as more attention should be paid to other Chinese players.

"Ding is definitely a great player, but there are a lot of local players behind him," said the world No 30, who became the first Asian to win a world title at the World Matchplay in 1992.

"They have very good potential but now they need practice and support."

Alongside Ding, who automatically entered the main draw as defending champion, a total of eight Chinese players joined the wild card round. But just two - Yu Delu and Yang Qingtian - came out with victories.

Yu then lost to world No 12 Graeme Dott 5-1 in the first round without any resistance, and Yang wasted the golden chance to upset Ding with a fatal mistake.

"They have practiced too little and have no experience at big events, so they need help from the government and sponsors," said Wattana. "They must go out to play higher tournaments in the UK or somewhere."

Up to now, only three Chinese players, Ding, Liang Wenbo and Liu Song, have competed in the Main Tour in UK while the rest of the local players have to settle at the national circuit, which contains only four tournaments throughout the year.

"Ding is an exception in China as I haven't seen any other Chinese player who could assist him in the top tournaments," said former world champion Jimmy White. "The rest of them lag far behind and are not that competitive."

For families on an ordinary income, it is impossible to financially support the necessary systematic training of their child in England where monthly expenses run to over 10,000 yuan (US$1,250), while the prize for winning a domestic tournament title is usually no more than 10,000 yuan.

"You are not able to find a source of income if you cannot win the matches there," said Liu.

"My parents have invested so much so I have no choice but to go back to the tour next season and try to find a possible chance to win some bonus."

Timely help

Impressed by China's huge market stirred by Ding, the England-based World Snooker Association has branched out to help promote the sport in China. It has set up its first overseas office in Beijing last year.

Simmon Leach, representative of the office, said their first step is to build up a stable home league.

"At first, we need a better national league with better facilities and better sponsorships. This is the only access to give Chinese players more experience," he said. "And then, we are able to send the best of them to the UK and give them some chances competing at higher tournaments."

Leach said the association is considering opening its official training program, the World Snooker Academy, in China in the near future and also planning to import another Main Tour tournament in Shanghai.

(China Daily March 24, 2006)