WDBS Takes Snooker to the World Abilitysport Guttman Games in Finland
Disability Snooker Makes Its Mark on the Multi-Sport Stage
World Disability Billiards & Snooker (WDBS) has been flying the flag for the sport in fine fashion this week, hosting a snooker taster session for athletes competing at the 2026 World Abilitysport Guttman Games in Finland. The session, which took place on Tuesday 18th August, gave competitors from a wide range of disciplines their first taste of the green baize — and by all accounts, it was a hit.
Athletes who ordinarily dedicate their lives to sports as varied as Inclusive Skating, Para Dance Sport, Para Laser Run and Standing Tennis swapped their usual equipment for cues, with experienced WDBS players on hand to guide them through the basics. It's the kind of grassroots engagement that quietly does enormous good for the game — putting snooker in front of people who might never have considered picking up a cue, and showing that the sport has a genuine place in the wider world of para and disability athletics.
Snooker Makes History — Again — at a Major Multi-Sport Games
What makes this week particularly significant is the context. Disability snooker is appearing at a World Abilitysport multi-sport games for only the second time ever, marking another landmark moment in the sport's ongoing push for wider recognition and inclusion on the international stage. This isn't just a feel-good sideshow — it's a competitive tournament in its own right, with 32 players from 13 nations going head-to-head across five classification groups.
The Guttman Games concludes on Thursday 20th August, when gold, silver and bronze medals will be presented to the deserving champions. Results and live scoring can be followed through WPBSA SnookerScores, which is well worth bookmarking if you want to keep tabs on how the competition unfolds in the final stages.
Why This Matters for the Future of the Game
It's easy to get tunnel vision when you spend most of your time tracking world rankings, handicap markets and maximum break records — but moments like this are a reminder of just how broad snooker's appeal genuinely is. The WDBS has been doing outstanding work in expanding competitive disability snooker globally, and events like the Guttman Games taster session are precisely the kind of outreach that builds tomorrow's players.
Snooker has long prided itself on being a sport of precision, patience and tactical intelligence — qualities that translate beautifully into para and disability formats. WDBS competitions have already been staged in locations as far afield as Shanghai and Nakhon Ratchasima, and the presence at these Games underlines that the organisation's ambitions extend well beyond the UK and Europe.
For those who follow disability snooker closely, champions have recently defended titles at Landywood and across international events, demonstrating that the depth and quality of competition is growing year on year. Seeing those players now stepping into a coaching and ambassadorial role at multi-sport games — introducing their sport to athletes from completely different disciplines — speaks volumes about the community that has been built around the game.
Keep an Eye on the Guttman Games Finale
With the medals decided on Thursday, this week's Guttman Games represents a genuine milestone for disability snooker. Whether you're a committed follower of the competitive scene or someone who simply wants to see the sport grow, the events unfolding in Finland deserve your attention. Head over to WPBSA SnookerScores to follow the action as the tournament reaches its climax and the first champions of this Games edition are crowned.
SnookerWins will continue to cover disability snooker news and WDBS events throughout the year. Please gamble responsibly — visit BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 if you need support.
