'I missed my daughter's birth for World Snooker Championship - Selby inspired her name'

 A snooker star once missed his own's daughter's birth to play at the World Championship.

Noppon Saengkham missed his own daughter’s birth in 2022 to play at the World Snooker Championship

Snooker star Noppon Saengkham missed his own daughter’s birth in 2022 to play at the World Championship. The Thai potter, who is currently ranked at No. 29 in the world, failed to progress to the main draw at this year’s edition of the tournament after losing to compatriot Sunny Akani in qualifying.

Saengkham has featured at the World Snooker Championship on four occasions, with his debut coming in 2017. He is yet to go beyond the second round, although he did reach the final of the Scottish Open in December 2023. And the 32-year-old has also been a semi-finalist at the British Open, Welsh Open, World Open and World Grand Prix.

Three years ago, Saengkham overcame Daniel Wells and Robert Milkins in the World Championship qualifying event to secure a first-round showdown with Luca Brecel.

Ahead of his clash with the future champion, Saengkham’s wife gave birth to a baby girl in Thailand. But the snooker star stayed in Sheffield to compete.

And explaining the decision at the time, Saengkham said: “I'm very happy, my daughter was born yesterday at 7am UK time. I speak with my wife every day. I'll see my daughter on a video call so everything will be okay.”

Mark Selby inspired the name of Noppon Saengkham's daughter, who was born in 2022

Saengkham went on to stun Brecel, who was seeded 11th, as he secured a 10-5 victory against the Belgian. The Thai ace exited the tournament at the second-round stage, however, after losing 13-7 to John Higgins in his next match.

Saengkham and his wife decided to name their daughter Believe. And he revealed their inspiration for the name had come from Mark Selby.

“I got the idea of the name from when Mark Selby was 10-4 down against John Higgins in the 2017 World [Championship] final,” Saengkham added.

“He said 'believe, believe, believe' when the camera was on him - and he came back to win. He knows I like him. I love his game. His game is to never give up. That is why I like him.”

Saengkham returned to the Crucible in 2023 but was unable to topple Jack Lisowski in his opening match as the Englishman won the contest 10-7.

The former Scottish Open finalist has failed to reach the main draw for the last two years and will likely be forced to enter qualifying for next season’s tournament unless he hurtles up the rankings this year.

He will also be unable to watch his idol Selby during the latter stages of this year’s tournament, with the four-time world champion suffering a shock 10-8 defeat against Ben Woollaston in the opening round.