Bar Billiards in Japan

We welcome an old and very dear friend from Japan to the Forum:  Bob Mobsby.

Bob attended several of the very early meetings of the AEBBA, and it was party due to his enthusiasm (and nagging of Ralph Tarratt !) that the first discussions were made with Jersey for what is now the World Championships.

I believe Bob has a proposition that will certainly make us sit back and listen !  

[bobmobsby60 (R.I.P.)]

Hi Clive and all those who remember me. Yep, found a table in Japan along with a snooker room. A place called British Hills in Fukushima, but a very safe distance from the disaster are, believe me. A British Manor House , Pub, village, shops and telephone box, roses and even the grass all imported from good old blighty. Owned by a Japanese Educational Institution 50 /50 english and Japanese staff. Now we arranged tours 30 years ago so how about those bravehearts there in the UK coming to Japan for a challenge Can get massive publicity here in Japan both Japanese news stations and BBC Asia. The locals would love it immensely, and believe me they need some encouragement still now. If anyone is interested please let me know and I will start the ball rolling this end. I am also planning to come to UK next July/August for a couple of weeks after an absence of 20 years and look forward to catching up with those of you still around. Regards, bob mobsby

[bobmobsby60 (R.I.P.)]

Also have good relationships with major Japanese companies and am sure can arrange sponsorship from quite a few in the interest of good relations. Can also arrange a tour to see Mount FUJI and for those who love trains, a ride on the Shinkansen Bullet Train and even good old Steam Engines, British of course. Hey lets do it.

Just to add before you decide on your responses, Bob is very much for real, unlike the China Bar Billiards Association (q.v.)

This sort of project I would imagine would take be a couple of years in the making, and we would have the opportunity of meeting Bob first, during the course of his UK visit next year.

Which gives plenty of time for discussion on here and a chance for Bob to add more details and make it a really sexy sounding prospect.

Count me in for the Japanese Open. 8-)

[BB Warrior]

An interesting idea..... 8-)

I know that Barry Hearn is planning on a massive expansion for snooker in the far east due to the economic growth out there in China and he is a very astute man who rarely backs a loser (well, apart from Leyton Orient maybe...!) although are we in danger of maintaining the British tradition of introducing a game to the world..... and then 20 years later watching the world beat us! :o ;D

You can get return flights to Japan for around £500-600 per person..... add on accommodation and some sightseeing trips and you are looking at a hefty amount of money for somebody to play in a competition that far away.... ::) .....but if sponsorship was available then it could make it more affordable and could generate some interest.  After all, it would probably be a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of us to visit Japan.... 8-)

However, would the sponsorship be available to "all entries from the UK"..... or would it only be available in the form of Prize Money in the competition itself, which would have to be fairly substantial to make players want to travel to (almost) the other side of the world..... ???

Certainly worth further discussion to see if there is any interest...... presumably there would have to be some special "local rules" to ensure that pegs knocked over by Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Typhoons etc only count against SirKT if he enters..... :o ;D ;D ;D

[bobmobsby60 (R.I.P.)]

Appreciate the concern about cost, hence I have a close relationship with Major Japanese Motor and Electronics industries in Japan who are all represented in the uk AND BEARING IN MIND THIS WOULD BE A VENTURE  between the UK and Japan, if their is a genuine interest I will do everything in my power to minimize overall expenditure to those willing to participate. Tommo mentioned this will take a bit of time to set up and of course it will, but with effort by all concerned it is possible and publicity is guaranteed. A bit of reassurance, Typhoons rarely hit the Tokyo area, Major Earthquakes are few and far apart and Tsunamis on the scale of March occurr every 1000 years. When I come to the UK next year I will visit Nissan, Toyota and Sony to start with and go from there. Before that will discuss the matter with their Head Offices in Japan. Lets make this work guys. Will be a once in alifetime experience for most people, and you will all love Japan. Believe it or not, most people here speak a fair ammount of English. Any questions please contact me. My mail address is [e-mail].

[Chris]

I would go like a shot..  it's getting Mr Chris to fly...  I would also want to know how far from Disney , as would take the family ??  (Geography not my strong point ) Only one we have not visited.

I spent 3 weeks in China 5 years ago and went on the Electro Magenetic train...  think that's what you call it..  Had a wow time.  Would love to do the Bullet.

Chris

[bobmobsby60 (R.I.P.)]

Disney Land and Disney Sea very easy access and terrific places. Weekdays are best as weekends and holidays are really crowded. Bullet train, especially the new ones are fantastic.  bob mobsby

[bobmobsby60 (R.I.P.)]

Hi Tommo, my congratulations too. Did you get my mail about ROD tARRAT. SAYS HES INTERESTED IN COMING TO jAPAN AND READY TO BRUSH UP ON HIS CHOPSTICKS. BOB

Hi Bob,
I have moved your post to the thread we have going (you find it under 'Overseas')

Getting a committment from Rod is good news. He is the last Hire operator of traditional tables left in the UK: Is the plan for him to bring a few tables over with him ? :-/

tommo