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Hong Kong snooker funding challenge

Postby gninnur karona

As outlined by Andy Lee in his post-QSchool-successful-campaign interview snooker in Hong Kong faces funding cuts from April 2023. Furthermore this press article, in addition to explaining the reason for the cuts, asserts snooker faces removal from the Hong Kong Sports Institute.

Since Marco Fu dethroned Ding Junhui at the 2010 event snooker hasn't featured at the Asian games.

Snooker has, however, been played at the first two Asian Indoor and Martial Arts games in 2013 and 2017 and will be played at the Covid-delayed third games in November 2023 (where Zhao Xintong, hopefully, will be given the opportunity to defend his title without compromising his professional career). Maybe a route to pursue in the fight to maintain funding?

Re: Hong Kong snooker funding challenge

Postby lhpirnie

gninnur karona wrote:As outlined by Andy Lee in his post-QSchool-successful-campaign interview snooker in Hong Kong faces funding cuts from April 2023. Furthermore this press article, in addition to explaining the reason for the cuts, asserts snooker faces removal from the Hong Kong Sports Institute.

Since Marco Fu dethroned Ding Junhui at the 2010 event snooker hasn't featured at the Asian games.

Snooker has, however, been played at the first two Asian Indoor and Martial Arts games in 2013 and 2017 and will be played at the Covid-delayed third games in November 2023 (where Zhao Xintong, hopefully, will be given the opportunity to defend his title without compromising his professional career). Maybe a route to pursue in the fight to maintain funding?

Yes I very nearly went to Turkmenistan in 2017. The venue Ashgabat looked absolutely amazing! Zhao won the 15-reds, Yan Bingtao won the 6-reds, and Lyu Haotian won a pool event. Surprisingly, China were beaten in the team competition, even with Yan Bingtao, Zhao Xintong and Zhou Yuelong. But Iran had Hossein Vafaei, Soheil Vahedi and Amir Sarkhosh.


It's a real shame Cheung Ka Wai and Wang Yuchen lost in Q School. Cheung in particular looked sensational against Hayden Staniland. After the match Staniland was telling Cheung that his clearance to win was as good as Ronnie (he moved several balls off cushions and there were some spectacular pots). But it would have helped HK snooker if one of the young players were to qualify.

There has been lobbying from Marco Fu, and attempts to organise a professional tournament in HK.

All of these look like an effort to try and keep snooker going, after difficult years for all sports and precarious funding everywhere. Even CBSA have had funding issues, which makes it all the more precarious for Chinese players who don't get through Q School, such as Zhao Jianbo.