SNOOKER might not have made its way into the Olympics just yet but it is part of another international multi-sport event – one that this year features Blackwood’s Andrew Pagett.

A gold medal is very much on the Gwent cueman’s mind as he prepares to take part in the 10th World Games, which was opened on Thursday and got under way yesterday.

The Polish city of Wroclaw hosts the 2017 edition, with sports such as squash, lacrosse, ten-pin bowling, glider aerobatics, indoor rowing and even lifesaving on the agenda.

Pagett and 15 other competitors, including professionals Ali Carter and Kyren Wilson, will fight it out for the gold, silver and bronze medals on the baize.

Two female players, Belgian Wendy Jans and Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee, also feature to make snooker a mixed gender sport for the first time at the Games.

The knockout competition begins next Wednesday with former pro Pagett meeting Switzerland’s Alexander Ursenbacher in the round of 16.

Explaining how he got to participate in Poland, Pagett, 35, said: “I qualified after reaching the final of the World Amateur Championship last year.

“I’d never heard of the World Games before.

“It’s good to take part in something like this because you could come away with a gold medal, which isn’t something you normally get to play for in snooker.

“I’m excited about it and really looking forward to playing – it’s a privilege to be a part of it.”

Asked if snooker should be part of the Olympic programme – sports in the World Games do not have Olympic status – Pagett added: “It definitely should be.

“Sport is about talent and I would say snooker is one of the hardest sports you can play.

“It’s a brilliant sport and should be part of the Olympics, and World Snooker have been pushing to try and get it in there.”

World Confederation of Billiards Sports president Jason Ferguson said: “I am delighted that snooker will once again be part of the World Games this year.

“Since the previous staging of the Games in Cali, we have experienced hugely exciting times in snooker, seen many developments and the tour has grown into a truly global sport.

“Being part of the World Games is an opportunity to showcase our great sport on an international platform.

“I am looking forward to seeing our strongest field yet in action, including two top-16 players who are both major international event winners and, for the first time, two women players competing in what will be a mixed gender competition, a significant step for our sport.”

After flying back from Poland, Pagett will head straight out to Egypt for the IBSF World 6 Red Championship and World Team Championship, where he partners Alex Taubman.