Doha, October 30 (QNA) - The General Assembly of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS) has elected President of the International Billiards & Snooker Federation Qatar's Mubarak Al Khayarin as WCBS President by acclamation for a four-year term from 2026 to 2030.
Al Khayarin was elected during the General Assembly meeting held today in Doha, attended by Assembly members, officials, and prominent figures in billiards and snooker.
His election reflects the growing stature of Qatari talent in international sport and the confidence international sports organizations place in his leadership. It recognizes his administrative expertise, long-standing commitment to billiards and snooker, and role in raising their profile and strengthening their organizational and competitive structures.
The election also marks a milestone for Qatari sport, creating further opportunities for national talent to help shape the future of the disciplines governed by the WCBS.
The meeting also formed a new Board of Directors to lead the Confederation during the next term. Al Khayarin will serve as president, with Egypt's Farouk El Barki and Guatemala's Fernanda Rivera as vice-presidents. The internationally diverse leadership team will work to develop billiards, snooker, and carom and expand their reach at continental and global levels. The Board has a substantial administrative and organizational agenda, including forming working committees, setting priorities for the new term, approving the international tournament calendars for 2027, 2028, and 2029, and awarding hosting rights to interested countries in accordance with established guidelines.
Al Khayarin's role extends beyond administration as the next phase calls for a clear vision for developing the Confederation's three disciplines and sustained coordination among federations and other stakeholders, balancing member nations' aspirations with the need to raise standards in international competition.
Recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the World Confederation of Billiard Sports coordinates international efforts to develop carom, billiards, and snooker, broaden participation, and support their growth worldwide.
In a press statement, Al Khayarin thanked General Assembly members for their confidence, describing his election as both an honor and a significant responsibility alongside his continuing role as president of the International Snooker Federation. He said their support would motivate him to intensify his efforts, emphasizing that fulfilling member federations' ambitions would require sustained commitment and teamwork.
He identified relocating the world billiards headquarters from Switzerland to Doha as a key priority. This would strengthen Qatar's position as an international hub for the sport's administration and development, drawing on the country's extensive resources and organizational expertise.
Al Khayarin said another strategic objective is to secure the inclusion of billiards, snooker, and carom—collectively known as cue sports—in the Olympic Games program, starting with the 2036 Games.
Achieving that goal, he said, would require substantial effort and sustained coordination with relevant international sports bodies, alongside initiatives to raise the disciplines' profile and expand their global reach.
Al Khayarin thanked the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports and Youth for their continued support for him and members of the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation, saying it had been instrumental in this achievement. 
President of the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Mohammed Al Ramzani congratulated Al Khayarin on his election as President of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports. He described it as well-deserved recognition of Al Khayarin's years of work to develop billiards and snooker and strengthen their international presence.
We are extremely pleased with this achievement, which is a source of pride for us all, said Al Ramzani. We regard it as a valuable contribution to Qatari sports in general, and to the disciplines of billiards and snooker in particular.
Al Ramzani reaffirmed the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation's support for Al Khayarin throughout his tenure, pledging its resources and expertise to help him achieve his goals at continental and international levels. (QNA)