Wada

The WCBS is the international umbrella organization that is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). After having had European Championships as the highest level of competition for many years, and being aware of the fact that many events were organized in the United States, many of the European players were becoming dissatisfied with... the development of the sport in Europe and yearned for competition on a higher level. With knowledge of this, the idea came about to form a world organization. At a European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) Board meeting in Germany during November 1987, the idea again re-surfaced. In order to make this attempt possible, all Board members voluntarily donated money of their own to create a logo, proper letterheads and initiate proper communication with various parts of the world. Soon after the work began, letters were sent to all persons and/or organizations that were known. Kazuo Fujima of Japan immediately replied that Asians are interested in founding a world body. Strengthened and encouraged by his reply, an invitation was sent out for the first General Assembly to take place in conjunction with the 1988 European Championships in Stockholm, Sweden. Mr. Fujima rapidly confirmed his attendance while no response was received from the USA. However, Mr. Paul Gerni appeared at the meeting to represent the USA. As a result of this meeting, a provisional Board consisting of Mr. Kazuo Fujima (Japan), Mr. Paul Gerni, (USA) Mr. Jorgen Sandman (Sweden) and Mr. Horst Vondenhoff (Germany) was created; each one given responsibilities to secure further development. These efforts culminated in February 1990, when 48 players (32 men, 16 women, in separate divisions) participated in the inaugural WPA World Nine-Ball Championship in Bergheim, Germany. The event is now annual and is currently conducted in Qatar. After the event, various federations spent countless hours in meetings establishing common grounds on which an intercontinental federation could exist. The first General ...Read More