Marco Fu expects lively crowd at snooker Grand Prix in March
Local | 22 Jan 2025 12:36 pm
Hong Kong snooker player Marco Fu Ka-chun expects an enthusiastic crowd at the World Grand Prix 2025 that will debut in Kai Tak Sports Park from March 4 to 9.
Fu said he will join the exhibition matches with other elite players this time and hopes the tournament could help promote snooker in Hong Kong.
“The event means a lot for snooker development in Hong Kong as it would attract spectators from all over the world, whether they love snooker or not,” Fu said.
He said the atmosphere will be very lively as the event will be held at Kai Tak Arena, which boasts a capacity of 5,000 spectators.
Fu also said he will introduce Hong Kong to Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan, two of the world's top snooker players who will join the Grand Prix, months after becoming Hong Kong residents through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme last year.
Meanwhile, Fu urged the government to handle the evaluation of billiard sports after full consideration as they are at risk of being downgraded from Tier A to Tier B due to insufficient participation in the Asian and Olympic games between 2010 and 2030.
This means the sports could lose 70 to 80 percent of government funding, which Fu said will have a huge impact on local players’ development, especially young talents.
“Each sport has its own historical background and characteristics, and the highest honors that athletes strive to achieve are different,” Fu said.
(Ayra Wang)
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