More snooker stars expected to become HK residents, says immigration head

Director of Immigration Benson Kwok Joon-fung stated on Tuesday that he is confident more top players and elites from other fields will settle in Hong Kong as snooker stars like Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump become Hong Kong residents.

The "Greater Bay Area Snooker Culture Challenge" began today and will run for two days at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai. 

Kwok, who attended the opening ceremony and highlighted that with snooker stars like Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump becoming Hong Kong residents, more top-tier players are expected to follow, further attracting elite talent from various fields to the city.  

Kwok also expressed confidence that Zhao Xintong—the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championships—would inspire young Hong Kong players to train harder and help promote the sport locally.  

The first day of the tournament features four matches, including a showdown between former Hong Kong snooker star Ivan Chan Kwok-ming and Thailand’s top player, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh. In the evening, local player Lau Ka-lam will face world No. 1 Judd Trump, while another Hong Kong player, Chan Chi-kin, takes on world No. 25 Jack Lisowski.