Borneo Snooker Invitational out to attract the best
SIBU: After a hectic 2018, Swan City Recreational Club Sibu (SCRCS) is looking forward to 2019 with the aim to further promote snooker sport in Sarawak.
Topping the agenda is the much-awaited Borneo Invitational Snooker Friendly Tournament in May. Its chairman Mark Yeo said they are eyeing all the top players in Borneo to take part including Brunei ace Randy Wong.
He said elite players from Sabah and all the top guns from throughout Sarawak like Rolando Lim, James Giam, Ricardo Sim and Tan Chin Yong from Kuching, Ng Hong Man from Sibu, Elvis Wong from Sarikei and Jeremy Ku from Miri, will also be invited.
The Borneo Invitational was mooted several years ago but has not taken place so far due to lack of funds.
“We aim to get more sponsorships for the tournament so that we will be able to come up with a bigger prize money, hence the possibility to attract a bigger pool of elite players coming here to vie for the title, “he added.
SCRCS, which effectively takes over the duty of Sibu Division Billiards and Snooker Association (SDBSA) after the latter was deregistered by the Registrar of Societies in 2017 due to lack of activities, was registered early this year.
Since then, its members, spearheaded by Yeo and secretary Danny Wong, have been working round-the-clock to develop the sport.
It has been especially active by organising tournaments on a regular basis.
“We regard it as our duty to organise tournaments for, if we did not do, then nobody else will do and eventually, interests in the sport will wane.”
Besides the Borneo Invitational, the 5th leg Swan City Cup Snooker championship at Southern Point Snooker Centre on Jan 6 will be SCRCS’ first tournament next year.
A total of 32 players will be taking part.
Also in the pipeline is the 6th leg of Sibu Swan City Cup in August.
Yeo is hoping that Sarawak Billiards & Snooker Sports Federation (SBSSF) will stage the Sarawak Closed which will allow local players to showcase their talent.
Looking back at 2018, Yeo listed the 4th leg of Sibu Swan City Championship in May which was the club’s first event after its formation.
It had also sent more than 10 players to take part in the Sarikei Open Snooker Championship held at Sarikei Kelab Cue Repok.
Also highlighted was the snooker coaching clinic conducted by Ng Hong Man at Executive 3 Snooker Centre, Jalan Wong King Huo on Sept 6.
We regard it as our duty to organise tournaments for, if we did not do, then nobody else will do and eventually, interests in the sport will wane. — Mark Yeo, SCRCS chairman