Live up to the billing, Hii tells snooker operators
SIBU: There are virtues to be learnt from snooker if youths are engaged in the development of the sport, said Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee at the opening of Sarawak Closed Snooker Championship.
He said participation in snooker championships would help them gain an appreciation of the honour of friendship, the value of teamwork, the joy of victory and the pain of defeat. “These are crucial lessons that cannot be easily delivered throughout our formal part of education in schools and the championship is timely for the snooker promoters to take their lead in promoting and popularising the sport,” he added during opening remarks at Sibu Executive 3 Snooker Centre on Saturday night.
A total of 56 players from throughout the state took part in the week-long championship organised by Sarawak Billiards & Snooker Sports Federation ( SBSSF) and co- organised by Executive 3 Snooker Centre. Four players will be picked to represent Sarawak for the National Snooker Championship to be held in Kuala Lumpur next year.
Among those at the event included SBSSF vice president David Tan, committee member Mark Yeo and tournament director Danny Wong.
Through such tournaments, Hii said it was an opportunity to identify and groom players to excel in the sports of their choice. Snooker, Hii reiterated, is a global sport that is enjoyed and participated by millions of enthusiasts worldwide.
He said snooker has also become a popular sport in our community, especially among the younger generations. Gone are the dark days when snooker was negatively perceived by the public due to lack of a regularated environment and centres, he said.
“We should thank the Sarawak government through the Ministry of Local Government for its farsighted initiative to regularize and promote the sports under the SBSSF many years ago.”
At the moment, Hii said the snooker centres are licensed by local authorities in their areas of jurisdiction. He said licensing control will enable the state government to promote snooker as a sport and ensure that it continues to develop in a conducive environment.
As such, he reminded operators and licensed snooker centres to observe all terms and conditions imposed by the license issued by the local authorities.
“Your cooperation will further enhance the improving image of the sport in the state. It is hoped that the same cooperation and synergy between the authority and the snooker centres will continue in the coming years for the continual development of snooker in the state.”