Snooker: Davison ready to challenge Hearn

Businessman and former Olympian John Davison has announced his intention to take over the running of top-level professional snooker.

Barry Hearn's plan to assume control of the sport's commercial arm, World Snooker, looked likely to be passed at next week's Extraordinary General Meeting.

However Davison, who attempted a similar takeover in 2002, has submitted a proposal which already has the support of seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry. Davison will have the chance to address next Wednesday's EGM before the players vote on whether to back Hearn. Should Hearn not have sufficient support, a further EGM would be called to determine whether the players are ready to back Davison.

Hendry said: "For a sport which many would like to write off, to have two bids on the table to take the game forward shows that there is plenty of life in snooker."