Hong Kong ‘has upper hand’ as snooker host over mainland China or Macau, thanks to Kai Tak
City ‘can potentially have many more events’ after March’s World Grand Prix, says Django Fung, the Hongkonger who manages top players
The World Grand Prix in March could be just the starting point for bringing major snooker tournaments to Hong Kong, according to the manager of several of the sport’s biggest names.
Django Fung, the Hongkonger who represents the likes of world champions Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy and Luca Brecel, told the Post that he felt the city offered advantages as a host over Macau and its neighbours in mainland China.
That could allow Hong Kong to play a growing role in moves by the sport’s chiefs to capitalise on the country’s explosion of interest in stars of the baize – last week referred to as “astronomical” by World Snooker Tour CEO Simon Brownell.
Fung said he viewed Kai Tak Sports Park as a potential game-changer for the city, as the new HK$30 billion (US$3.85 billion) site’s indoor arena prepares to stage the World Grand Prix from March 4 to 9.
“I think the Grand Prix could just be the start,” said Fung, who also manages Barry Hawkins and Wu Yize via his UK company Grove Leisure.
“Previously we only had the Queen Elizabeth Stadium and the Coliseum. Now that Kai Tak has become available, there is a lot more availability in terms of venues to hold events.”
