Qatar’s Mubarak Al-Khayarin Elected President of World Confederation of Billiards Sports

The General Assembly of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS) elected Qatar’s Mubarak Al-Khayarin, President of the International Billiards & Snooker Federation, as the Confederation’s new president by acclamation for a four-year term extending from 2026 to 2030.

Al-Khayarin was elected to the international position during a meeting held in Doha, attended by General Assembly members and several officials and figures involved in billiards and snooker internationally.

The selection reflects the growing standing of Qatari talent on the international sporting stage and confirms the confidence that international sports institutions place in Al-Khayarin in recognition of his administrative experience and career serving billiards and snooker. It also recognises his role in strengthening the presence of these sports and developing their organisational and competitive structures.

The move also marks an important milestone for Qatari sport and opens new opportunities for national talent to help shape the future of the disciplines governed by the World Confederation of Billiards Sports.

The meeting also established a new Board of Directors to lead the Confederation during the coming electoral term. Mubarak Al-Khayarin will serve as president, while Egypt’s Farouk El Barki and Guatemala’s Fernanda Rivera were selected as vice-presidents. The internationally diverse composition establishes a new phase of joint work to develop pool, snooker and carom and expand their reach at continental and global levels.

The coming phase is expected to involve significant administrative and organisational activity in view of the matters before the new Board. These include forming the Confederation’s working committees, determining priorities for the new electoral term, approving the international tournament calendars for 2027, 2028 and 2029, and allocating hosting rights to countries wishing to organise the events in accordance with approved frameworks.

Al-Khayarin’s selection to lead the Confederation represents a major responsibility extending beyond administration. The next phase requires a clear vision for developing the three disciplines and continuous coordination among the different federations and relevant stakeholders to balance member countries’ ambitions with the requirements for raising the standard of international competitions.

The World Confederation of Billiards Sports holds particular importance as the body recognised by the International Olympic Committee. It brings together three principal disciplines—carom, pool and snooker—and is responsible for coordinating international efforts to develop them, broaden participation and strengthen their reach in countries worldwide.

Al-Khayarin expressed great happiness with the confidence placed in him by the Confederation’s General Assembly members. He said the selection was a source of pride and honour but also placed additional responsibility on him while he continued serving as President of the International Billiards & Snooker Federation.

In a press statement, Al-Khayarin said he was pleased with this valued confidence, describing it as a strong incentive to exert greater effort during the coming phase. He said the presidency of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports was a significant responsibility added to his current duties, requiring greater effort and teamwork to fulfil the ambitions and aspirations of the member federations.

He added that several important matters would receive attention, led by efforts to relocate the global billiards headquarters from Switzerland to Doha. The move would strengthen Qatar’s position as an international centre for managing and developing the sport and enable the Confederation to benefit from the country’s substantial capabilities and organisational expertise.

Al-Khayarin said another major strategic objective for the next phase was securing the inclusion of pool, snooker and carom in the Olympic Games programme, beginning with the 2036 Olympic Games.

He noted that achieving this ambition would require considerable effort and continuous coordination with the relevant international sports bodies, alongside strengthening the standing of the three disciplines and expanding their global reach.

At the conclusion of his remarks, Al-Khayarin thanked the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports and Youth for the significant support and continued encouragement extended to him and all members of the Qatar Billiard Sports Federation. He said this support had played a pivotal role in achieving the milestone.

Mohammed Mubarak Al Ramzani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Billiard Sports Federation, congratulated Mubarak Al-Khayarin on his election as President of the World Confederation of Billiards Sports. He said the selection was well-deserved recognition of Al-Khayarin’s extensive efforts over previous years to serve pool and snooker and strengthen their presence on the international sporting stage.

Al Ramzani said: “We are extremely pleased with this achievement, which is a source of pride for us all, and we consider it an important addition to Qatari sport generally and to pool and snooker in particular.”

He confirmed that the Qatar Billiard Sports Federation would continue supporting Al-Khayarin throughout his tenure and would provide its capabilities and expertise to help ensure the success of his mission and achieve the desired objectives at continental and international levels.

Source: QNA

--

About Qatar Living:

Since 2005, Qatar Living has been the trusted destination for everything Qatar. As the country's largest online community and marketplace, Qatar Living connects people with opportunities through jobs, property, vehicles, services, classifieds, events, local insights, and breaking news. Trusted by residents, newcomers, visitors, and businesses alike, Qatar Living brings Qatar together in one place.

Instagram - @qatarliving

X - @qatarliving

Facebook - Qatar Living

YouTube - qatarlivingofficial