Controversial snooker king Ronnie O’Sullivan has hailed the impending arrival of Barry Hearn as the new boss of the sport.

Hearn is set to take over as chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association after Sir Rodney Walker was ousted from the Board last week.

Several leading players have welcomed the change in the game’s hierarchy, and O’Sullivan joined that number as he spoke out after making a winning start to the Pukka Pies UK Championship at the Telford International Centre last night.

O’Sullivan defeated Welshman Matthew Stevens 9-3 in front of a packed crowd that included his friend, Telford postman Chris Davies, the GB international long distance runner, as well as famed artist Damien Hirst.

But he took time out to welcome a potential new dawn for sport under Hearn, declaring: “He’s the Ronaldinho of promoting if you like.”We’ve had the amateurs having a go, people who have not really got any credentials.”It’s good that, finally, common sense has prevailed.”Finally there’s someone who, if he is put in charge, is honest, has integrity, who delivers, is charismatic and is a winner – he’s everything you need.”Snooker’s lucky. I don’t think some of the players deserve it.Guidance“A lot of the years, the way it’s gone I don’t think some of the players deserve to be playing under his quality, guidance if you like, but it’s good for snooker.”He’s still got a hard job ahead of him.”O’Sullivan added: “If he’s involved in the game, I’d definitely want to play on longer. Hopefully I can keep playing for a while. It’s great to have him.”l The eight second round matches all play to a conclusion at the International Centre today – with defending champion Shaun Murphy in action against Chinese sensation Ding Junhui.O’Sullivan will be up against Peter Ebdon as he bids for a place in the quarter-finals.