Following recent discussions between the SMPT directorship and consultations with venues used by the SMPT, a decision has been made to alter some of the events for the 2021/22 season.
Whilst progress towards a full relaxation of restrictions continues in the UK, other countries are currently seeing a rise in cases as part of a third wave and the global picture remains precarious. This impacts directly on our ability to run events efficiently, especially as some of our organisers are having to travel from outside the UK.
We also feel very strongly that our ranking events should be available for all to enter and if any restrictions prevent this, then that is unfair on those players who cannot attend due to such restrictions. With this in mind we are tweaking our forthcoming events until such time that events can be truly open and ranking points can be earned again.
SMPT World Cup – 27 August 2021, Chelmsford, England
This event has been rescheduled for Friday 22 April 2022 in Belfast, N. Ireland in place of the Belfast Open Pairs. Those players who qualified to represent their countries following the conclusion of the 2019/20 season will be asked if they wish to take their place in this event.
SMPT UK Open – 28/29 August 2021, Chelmsford, England
This event will now become a two day, open pairs tournament, replacing the usual ranking singles event. Further details on this event will be released in due course with entries likely to open in the third week of June.
SMPT Irish Open – 18/19 September 2021, Belfast, N. Ireland
This event will also become a two day, open pairs tournament that will replace the usual singles ranking event. Further details on this event will be released in due course with entries likely to open in the second week of July.
SMPT Norwegian Open – 30/31 October 2021, Skien, Norway
It is felt that with the current uncertainty with the Covid-19 situation and the great deal of effort it takes to organise this event, not only by us but the amazing support team we have in Norway that it is unfair on them to wait any longer to see how the situation develops. Therefore, this event will unfortunately be cancelled for this season.
All other scheduled events
At present, there is no change to these scheduled events apart from the Belfast Open Pairs which has been replaced by the World Cup for this season. A decision will be made on each separate event later in the summer.
All events remain under constant review.