Chinese 8-ball pool has become a popular and influential indoor international sport, said Qiao Bing, president of International Chinese Pool Association.

Chinese snooker player Ding Junhui tries 8-ball pool. (Photos: VCG)
The game combines snooker style, nine-ball table size and American 8-Ball Pool competition rules.
In addition to the strong home contingent, Chinese 8-ball game continues to grow globally, with 32 overseas divisions in 54 countries on six continents. With prizes totaling 20 million yuan ($2.9 million), the game is now the world’s largest, according to World Pool-Billiard Association.
Qiao said ICEA, the world governing body of Chinese Pool, will make great efforts to organize events in Africa this year, boosting its popularity first in Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa and then covering more players in 10 other African countries.
Chinese pool started rolling out a project in South Africa in 2016, the first stop on the game's global promotion campaign.
Qiao said Chinese 8-ball has contributed to economic and cultural exchanges between China and South Africa.
It will also help revive the sport globally as professional snooker players such as Stephen Hendry and World Champion 8-ball player Gareth Potts have concentrated on Chinese 8-ball pool, said Qiao.