New sponsor is just our cup of tea

AN INTERNATIONAL tea producer has stepped in to help one lucky Cuestars member win a free place at Q School.

Ahmad Tea will sponsor the second leg of the Cuestars South of England Championship Tour on Sunday, October 16.

The event is being held at Chandler Ford Snooker Club, a stone throw from Ahmad Tea’s global headquarters and specialised high value products factory.

Ali Afshar, general manager of the family business, which exports to more than 80 countries worldwide, said: Ahmad Tea is thrilled to be sponsoring the Cuestars Championships Tour at Chandlers Ford.

As a brand we always look for new ways to support local charities and events and this seemed the perfect opportunity as it gives youngsters the chance to embrace their passion for snooker at a competitive level. We wish all the entrants the best of luck.

The winner of the eight-leg Championship Tour will have his entry paid for World Snooker’s Q School, which is held straight after the world championships. The four semi-finalists from the two tournaments receive two-year cards for the pro-circuit.

Seb Worrall beat Mike Finn, from Southampton, in the final of the first leg at Jesters Snooker Club.

DID YOU KNOW? Tea was first sold as a health beverage in Garway’s Coffee House, London, in 1657.

Tea bags were invented by accident. New York tea merchant Thomas Sullivan started to send samples to his customers in small silken bags in 1903. And his customers assumed the whole bag should be put into the pot.

The tea leaf grows on the Thea Sinensis plant, a member of the Camellia family, which is indigenous to China and India.

Smuggling was rife in the 18th century because tea was taxed at an eye-watering 112%.

Picture by Tim Dunkley

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