World Championship

World number one Ronnie O'Sullivan begins the defence of his world title today as snooker chiefs debate whether to move the tournament away from the Crucible.

The possibility of moving to a new venue was considered after World Snooker, the game's governing body, invited applications from other cities interested in staging the tournament.

The Crucible has been home to the championship since 1977.

Stephen Hendry, winner of a record seven world titles, has given his backing to keeping the tournament in Sheffield.

"I think everyone would be sad if it wasn't at Sheffield any more. There's no doubt about it, the Crucible is synonymous with the world championship," he said.

"If a move was what was needed to give the game a shot in the arm then obviously we'd be prepared to do it, but nobody would like to leave Sheffield. It's provided a lot of good memories for myself."

Ken Doherty, who won the title in 1997, echoed Hendry's sentiments.

"It's a great venue and I love playing there," he said.

"There's so much pressure there and it gives you goosebumps and nerves like you'll never believe."

O'Sullivan is the hot favourite to win the world title again but faces a tough first round match against Scotland's Stephen Maguire.

O'Sullivan beat Maguire 10-6 in the opening round last year but the Scot has twice beaten the Englishman this season in rising to a provisional world number three in the rankings.

Graeme Dott, a surprise finalist last year, faces Ian McCulloch in the first round while Hendry starts against Australian Neil Robertson, who is making his debut at Sheffield.

Former champions Mark Williams, John Higgins, Doherty and Peter Ebdon are also among the leading contenders to win the title.

Paul Hunter, semi-finalist in 2003, is set to play despite recently being diagnosed with cancer. He will undergo a course of chemotherapy after the event.

Malta's Tony Drago has again reached the final stages at the Crucible after ousting Nigel Bond 10-4 in the qualifying phase.

Drago plays his best-of-19 first-round match against England's Stephen Lee over two days - Wednesday and Thursday.

First round draw:

Ronnie O'Sullivan (England) vs Stephen Maguire (Scotland); Marco Fu (Hong Kong) vs Ali Carter (England); Stephen Lee (England) vs Tony Drago (Malta); Peter Ebdon (England) vs Quinten Hann (Australia); John Higgins (Scotland) vs Mark Selby (England); Chris Small (Scotland) vs Shaun Murphy (England); Steve Davis (England) vs Gerard Greene (N. Ireland);

Paul Hunter (England) vs Michael Holt (England); Stephen Hendry (Scotland) vs Neil Robertson (Australia); David Gray (England) vs Anthony Hamilton (England); Jimmy White (England) vs Fergal O'Brien (Ireland); Matthew Stevens (Wales) vs Andy Hicks (England);

Ken Doherty (Ireland) vs Barry Pinches (England); Alan McManus (Scotland) vs Drew Henry (Scotland); Graeme Dott (Scotland) vs Ian McCulloch (England); Mark Williams (Wales) vs Robert Milkins (England).

Playing today (best of 19): O'Sullivan vs Maguire (two sessions); Gray vs Hamilton; Davis vs Greene; Stevens vs Hicks; McManus vs Henry.