By Jonathan Rawcliffe BBC Sport at the Crucible

Mr Caborn (left) endorsed World Snooker's decision

Minister for Sport Richard Caborn told BBC Sport he was delighted that the World Snooker Championship is to remain in Sheffield.

"I think the decision is first-class," he said. "Sheffield is synonymous with snooker, as Wembley is to football and Wimbledon to tennis."

"The players love The Crucible - they think it's something unique.

"It shows that snooker is looking to the future, and that's why the news about the academy is so exciting."

Mr Caborn added that he approved of the plan to use the English Institute of Sport building in Sheffield's lower Don Valley to house the new venture.

Walker spells out Crucible future

"Linking the two is a very wise move," he added, after attending the announcement in Sheffield's Winter Gardens, alongside World Snooker chairman Sir Rodney Walker, and city council representatives.