This year saw two world championships in the same sport occur within days of each other.

In January, darts had two world champions - Phil "the Power" Taylor and John "Boy" Walton.

Taylor won the Skol World Championship governed by the Professional Darts Organisation whereas Walton clinched the Embassy world title - a tournament handled by the World Darts Federation.

The PDC was a breakaway setup formed in the early 1990's because the top players in the game such as Eric Bristow and Phil Taylor wanted guaranteed entry into the first round of the Embassy Championships, without having to qualify.

Such a deal was denied.

Snooker appears to heading a similar way.

Major blow

Directors from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) have been in discussions with The Sportmasters Network (TSN), following TSN's announcement in December that they are planning a rival circuit.

The game's leading professionals, such as Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams and Ronnie O'Sullivan are managed by the internet company.

TSN are planning a tour of 10 events (minimum) which would include tournaments in Europe and the Far East.

The internet company also promises a 40% increase to the prize fund and the re-introduction of a World Cup and non-tobacco sponsored events.

A meeting prior to this year's Nations Cup between the warring factions was said to be "harmonious but inconclusive", according to the managing director of the WPBSA, Jim McKensie.

The worry for the game is that the leading lights, should they stay with TSN, would presumably not take part in the Embassy championship, a major blow to the sponsors of the WPBSA event and to the fans.

It is also unclear at the moment whether players would have to qualify for the TSN events.

If they do not go through that process then - the one adopted by the UK and World Championships - then the game is sure to follow that of darts and have two very different and confusing circuits with no one knowing who the real champion of the sport is.