Billards, snooker want spot in Tokyo 2020 Games

China's Ding Junhui plays a shot during his match against Mark Williams of Wales in the final of the 2010 World Snooker China Open in Beijing April 4, 2010. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: SPORT) - RTR2CF3Q

BERLIN (Reuters) - Billiards and snooker on Thursday launched an unexpected bid to win a spot on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics sports programme, saying sharp global rise in popularity helped their case.

The programme for the Tokyo Games has already been agreed with organizers and the International Olympic Committee and any late inclusion would have to be preceded by a request from the organizers.