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Wolfgang Rittmann, the future of billiards

07/12/2014

Published by frits bakker

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Wolfgang Rittmann: a temporary setback doesn't lead to ruin the sport

KOZOOM - The international calendar is slowly taking shape, the live calendar Kozoom is overloaded and billiards fans can look forward to a wonderful new season with many championships and tournaments around the world. The crowning highlight takes place later this year at the World championships in Korea. For next year, the European championships in all disciplines in Brandenburg is again on the program.

The positive, especially sports news can’t always conceal that the billiard sport in all its ranks suffers hard times. Where are we going to in the upcoming years? That question, Kozoom presented to Mister Wolfgang Rittmann, the President of the European federation, le Confédération Européenne de Billard (CEB).

The German Rittmann is a man who speaks in clear words about our sport, he is known for his sober view of things and clear analysis. He gives us a glimpse into the future with realistic perspective, starting with a preamble to the European championship next year. 

Kozoom/Markus Schönhoff: Can we assume that a second edition of the European championship and Brandenburg will be organized again in Brandenburg?

Wolfgang Rittmann: ,,Yes, the focus will be at the European championship in that city for ten days in April and May. And let me also promote another important event for the city and the region: the so-called Bundesgartenshow, which will open its doors at the same time and also offers an interesting variety of sports.''

Kozoom/MS: What were the reactions after Euro 2013, especially from the players, the federations and not least: the sponsor?

WR: ,,The reactions were very positive. However, there are some experiences that need to be improved in the new edition. That should be done in close cooperation with the mayor of the city, Dr. Tiemann and the person responsible for the organization in the city.''

Kozoom/MS: Are there any changes to be expected in the tournament schedule? Or in the prize money? And what time will the inscription be published?

WR: ,,As a result of the positive development in the discipline five pins, the field of participants will be increased slightly. Furthermore, there are no significant changes. The inscription will be launched by the end of the year, long before the deadline.''

Kozoom/MS: The CEB is one of the federations within the UMB, the world federation. The national federations are traditionally very strong and are the basis for sportive development. There is a point of view, inside the federations, that would like the CEB to participate in terms of marketing, tournament organizing, sponsors and public relations.

WR: ,,The national leagues, as far as I know, are doing well, but in only a few countries. There are only four on a total of more than thirty countries. That’s not too much. Nevertheless, the performance of the players from other countries should not be underestimated. I think about Turkey and Greece.''

,,You can always do more than you’re doing now, but on all levels of the sport structure, that starts with the club culture. On all levels we need qualified people and capital to finance. As we all know, we depend on volunteers, not only in our sport, also in small, professional sports with a higher ratings. The sport on all levels, under the dominance of football, is got into a fierce fight for media attention and sponsors. Billiard sport is playing, like most of the small sports, not a major role. The capital to change our sport in the medium- and longer-term is not available. That should come from the own members, but it’s not conceivable. And even that is no guarantee of success. The developments, required for new strategies and implementation of plans, are way too expensive.''

,,Marketing starts at the clubs, followed by the region and the national federation. But look around. Who knows the billiard club in his street? Who knows the best players, the league in which we play? There’s such a big difference with top sports. For example, if Martin Horn becomes vice world champion, you wouldn’t even find a little message in the newspaper in his native region.’’ 

Kozoom/MS: How do you see the development of billiards from the CEB’s perspective?

WR: ,,The billiard sport is more or less going down in the European countries. So as a consequence, in the CEB as well, because not only clubs often disappear by aging, but there’s also a structural weakness within some countries. The CEB has no effect on it, we just need to stand by and watch carefully. Actually, it’s not a symptom exclusive to carom, also in other disciplines there is relapse. Less than ten percent of the young people in billiards are under 21 years of age. We have a high average age among the other members. Without major changes, it clearly states that the extinction unfortunately will continue inexorably. The participation of only five countries in the European youth championships mirrors that.''

Kozoom/MS: Is there an agenda for the next two to five years with specific goals for the CEB?

WR: ,,Defining goals is not difficult, but to make it realistic for the CEB is almost impossible. The national federations are autonomous in terms of their areas and their subdivisions, the CEB has no effect. Only nationally, there is the DNA for the survival of our sport. Language and attitudes are very different in the countries, so only the national initiatives can be successful.''

Kozoom/MS: What do you think about a targeted marketing campaign, as a CEB initiative, which is aiming to recruit new sponsors. Are there such kind of considerations?

WR: ,,It would be nice, of course, if the CEB could access sponsors outside the billiard industry. That requires a positive, open and public self-expression of our sport. Television broadcasts, even on the national level, are zero and are a rarity. We better not talk about numbers of spectators, or what we can offer sponsors? And who knows the famous, current idols outside our sport?'' ,,How can we reach our the national and international market with our sport to interest sponsors? Look at the World Cup football on TV. When I look at Germany: if the national team is playing, the audience sees advertisements of German companies in the German language. That emphasizes that television advertising is primarily a national matter. Many football on national television automatically attracts interest from TV channels for international events. And sponsors gain continuity of their advertising, which can be useful and effective.’’

Kozoom/MS: The billiard sport is the core business of the CEB. We can assume that the CEB is following the development in other sports, that managed to conquer the attention of television. Often, darts is seen as an example.

WR: ,,Billiards is not a core business for the CEB. The CEB is the European federation for national federations in the field of carom billiards in Europe. It is not an economically oriented company, but a non-profit sports association. The triumph of darts? I can not judge, or confirm. There may be some countries where such a trend can be observed. I can only talk about Germany. Darts doesn’t play a significant role on TV.''

Kozoom/MS: Are there any changes in the tournaments are the rules coming up that are specifically tailored to get attention to a bigger media attention? Possibly in cooperation with the UMB?

WR: ,,There have done some studies of course on the sporting public of they want today. This is necessary to maintain billiard sports. But the same rules and systems are a prerequisite for the mass to the sport, regardless of where and in what language, to understand. All that the public does not understand is inevitably boring. It should be particularly short in all sports. I keep repeatedly emphasize that boredom is very bad for ratings. Sport for the satisfaction of their own interests of players, officials and fans is perfectly legitimate, but the public is not stimulated by that.'' 

Kozoom/MS: You’re very acquainted with the marketing world and know the billiard sport for several decades. Therefore, finally, two personal questions for you: Imagine, someone wants to attract you as a sponsor for a tournament. What do you expect from the organization and what do you expect?

WR: ,,I would expect what I should get in any other sports event on a high level. That would mainly be: 

- Sport and organization with a positive public appeal - Sports and event that fits the character of my company

- Meet visitors at the event, on the site and TV viewers of my target

- Many TV broadcast with high ratings and lots of pictures to image my company

- Professional access for my guests

- The express of my business and my products in editorial coverage and press conferences 

Kozoom/MS: What is your vision for the billiard sport in ten years?

WR: ,,Unfortunately, it probably will not look like it does today. As an insider in the TV world, since more than 25 years, I know the state of affairs in the sports development very well. I’m well aware where we are going. In addition to many other sports, not only small, unfortunately billiards plays no essential role. I remember that we had around 100 hours of TV broadcast in billiards ten years ago in the German Bundesliga. That has declined to zero over the years. The numbers speak for themselves. The old adage, maintaining contacts is easier than to build new, still applies. That shows how difficult it will be to find a way back at this time.''

,,Of course, there will never be a total destruction of the billiard sport We have to try together, from the basis, to stabilize and maintain on a slightly lower level. There are examples of renaissance in other sports, like in Asia. For decades we were focused on Japan. Today we are witnessing an explosive development in Vietnam, Korea and China. And it has just started.''

,,A temporary setback doesn’t have to lead to ruin the sport. We must draw sufficient strength to innovate and find new impulses. We can’t set the bar too high, but disappointment about what we do not reach is a bad counselor for success.’’

,,The Kozoom live coverage of many events is a good start to show our sport to the world. We have to continue on that path. I can’t promise that the future is all rosy, but by combining all forces that participate in the billiard market, in different ways, there is certainly a future for our sport.''

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