The World Snooker championship looks set to remain at The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, according to some of the sport's top stars. Although the official announcement is not due until Friday 22 April, BBC Radio Sheffield expects that the Crucible will continue to be the home of snooker in the short term. The tournament's future in Sheffield was put in doubt when the governing body, World Snooker, invited bids to host the event in 2006. Despite competition from Liverpool as well as the far east it now seems that the Crucible will remain the venue for snooker's most prestigious event. | "There's no doubt about it, the Crucible is synonymous with the World Championship" | | Stephen Hendry |
Former world champion Ken Doherty believes the Crucible will continue to stage the tournament it has hosted since 1977 and believes that is the correct decision. He told the Sheffield Star: "Sheffield is where it all really starts. "I do like Sheffield. I love playing there - it's a great arena and probably the best that we play in. "I'm delighted that it is staying there" Seven-time champion Stephen Hendry added his approval, saying: "I think everyone would be sad if it wasn't at Sheffield any more. "There's no doubt about it, the Crucible is synonymous with the World Championship." Billiardrome The Crucible Theatre has staged the tournament since 1977. Some critics have said the Crucible is too cramped a venue for such a prestigious tournament, and if Sheffield does retain the tournament, it may move to an alternative, purpose-built "Billiardrome" venue. The Sheffield First for Investment agency have proposed working with World Snooker to devlop the facility, even if the decision on the venue for the 2006 tournament does go against Sheffield. Your views What would the loss of the World Snooker Championship mean to Sheffield? Would you prefer the tournament to stay at The Crucible or to move to a purpose-built venue? | 
