Bangkok: 'Mind' Sakol Panchaya Channoi's triumph in the World Women's Snooker Championship is beyond her wildest dreams, and she is urging authorities to reclassify snooker away from the gambling category. Meanwhile, "Big Hong" is seeking support from "Chada" to aid her professional career.
According to Thai News Agency, the 18-year-old Thai snooker sensation, who also clinched two consecutive World Junior Women's Snooker Championship titles, returned to Thailand on May 20th. Her arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport was met with a warm reception from "Big Hong" Mr. Sunthorn Jarumong, President of the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand, her family, and adoring fans.
Mind Sakol has made history as the third Thai female snooker player to achieve world champion status, following in the footsteps of "Mink Saraburi" Natchararat Wongharuthai and "Baiphad Sriracha" Siripaporn Nuantakhamjan. Notably, she is the first female player globally to secure both senior and junior titles within the same year.
Her victory not only guarantees her a place in professional snooker for two seasons but also a spot in the Champion of Champions 2026 tournament, along with a £13,000 prize, equivalent to approximately 559,000 baht.
Mind Sakol expressed that her world championship win was unexpected, as she entered the competition with the intention of playing for enjoyment and performing to the best of her ability. Defeating defending champion Bai Yu Lu of China in the quarter-finals was an unexpected triumph, as she saw herself as the underdog. She is determined to train diligently and achieve further success in her professional journey.
She also extended her gratitude to Achaada, her sponsors, coaches, and mentors, particularly P'Baiphad Sriracha, for their unwavering support and guidance. Additionally, she thanked her family and fans for their encouragement, promising to bring another championship title back to Thailand next year.
The Thai champion highlighted the immense support for snooker she witnessed in China and appealed for the sport to be removed from the gambling category in Thailand.
Mr. Sunthorn Jarumong lauded Mind's remarkable achievement, noting her exceptional training and performance, including scoring century breaks in China. He also highlighted the financial challenges of her professional career, noting the need for further support, especially from Mr. Chada Thaiseth, a prominent figure from Mind's hometown.
The Billiard Sports Association's president reiterated the ongoing effort to remove snooker from Thailand's Gambling Act of 1935, appealing to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to facilitate this change, emphasizing snooker's global popularity and its misclassification as a gambling sport in Thailand.