CAIRO - The World Cup calendar is still uncertain for the three upcoming tournaments in 2020, but is gradually filling up for the coming years. The Dutch federation and the organization of the World Cup in Veghel have announced that the contract with the UMB (world federation) has been extended by three years and is on the calendar for five years now: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. That is unique in the cycle of World Cups. Belgian organizer Thierry Gabriels has also submitted an application for three years. These World Cups are planned in Antwerp. "The request has been made, but they are still looking for data on the calendar for 2021, 2022 and 2023," Gabriels said.
The KNBB (Dutch federation) and the organizers of BEN for the World Cups in Veghel consider the extension of the contract as a huge success. "These are wonderful times for Dutch three-cushion," the organization noted. ''The greatest imaginable ambiance, crowded stands, broadcasted live on Ziggo Sport. And Dick Jaspers as the number one in the world. That apparently made a huge impression, because these days we received the message from the UMB that we are on the calendar for five years now following the 2019 edition.''
If the Belgian application for three tournaments is approved, the UMB calendar is filling up in the coming years. Three more tournaments are planned for 2020 (Porto in June and Guri in July have been canceled, Veghel in October, Cheongju in November and Sharm El Sheikh in December are online for the time being. Dani Sánchez was the only World Cup winner so far in 2020 (Antalya) before the start of Corona crisis.
The World Cup cycle has to deal with a growing choice of organizers for the coming years. The question is whether the Belgian applications can be added, knowing that the European organizations of Antalya, Porto and Veghel have registered for the coming years. Seven tournaments are already on the calendar in 2021, six tournaments for 2022.
For 2021, 7 organizations are on the calendar: Turkey, Las Vegas, Ho Chi Minh, Porto, Korea, Veghel and Sharm El Sheikh.
For 2022, the year in which the World Games will also be organized in Birmingham (USA): Turkey, Las Vegas, Ho Chi Minh, Porto, Veghel and Sharm El Sheikh.
For 2023, 3 tournaments for now: Antalya, Las Vegas, Veghel.
For 2024, 2 tournaments: Antalya and Veghel.
Dutch KNBB chairman Garmt Kolhorn is delighted after today's UMB announcement: ''It is no coincidence that we have had so many major events in the Netherlands in recent years. Three cushion is incredibly alive here. With the BEN organizers, we have the best possible team to organize.''
Harry Mathijssen and Ad Smout of BEN add: ''It is our ambition to structurally improve three cushion in the Netherlands. The trajectory is remarkable, when you see where we come from. Ten years ago, three cushion was at the point of dying.''