Hong Kong’s Ng On-yee wins British Open, Wang back on World Snooker Tour, as 80% funding cut hangs over sport
- Ng wins title for first time in her career with 4-1 victory over Thailand’s Mink Nutcharut
- Wang reaches last four of Q-school, secures spot on tour for 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons
Faced with the threat of losing almost all of their funding, Hong Kong’s snooker players have been doing their best to convince the government to reverse its decision to kick them out of the elite sports institute next year.
And head coach Wayne Griffiths, who has responsibility for billiard sports, heaped praise on his charges for continuing to deliver results despite a seemingly bleak future.
On Sunday, Ng On-yee won the British Open for the first time in her career, while compatriot Wang Yuchen reached the final four of Q-school in Leicester a day earlier to earn a spot on the World Snooker Tour for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.
Removal from the Hong Kong Sports Institute’s elite list would result in a funding cut of up to 80 per cent, and take away the athletes’ rights to use the best training facilities.
“This was On-yee’s 20th world ranking event victory in a career spanning over 14 years,” Griffiths said. “The fact that she can stay so long at the very top of the sport is a testament to her work ethic and mental strength.
