Hong Kong lawmaker Kenneth Fok wants snooker to retain ‘Tier A’ status, changes to format

Snooker should be allowed to keep its “Tier A” classification, according to lawmaker Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, who also recommended that the authorities should loosen the restrictions placed on the city’s elite sports funding scheme.

According to a spokesperson for the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), the Elite Vote Support Scheme (EVSS) was modified at the end of the 2022-23 fiscal year. As a result, in order for a sport to be classified as “Tier A,” it must exhibit the following criteria: “Sports competed [or] will compete in at least three editions in the past four and coming two editions of the Olympic Games or Asian Games.”

The spokesperson went on to say that prior to the implementation of the criteria, “it required at least three editions of Olympic Games or Asian Games since 1997.”

The billiard sports are on the verge of being demoted to the lower tier, which would result in a significant reduction of subsidy by 80 percent in April. This is due to the fact that they have not met the requirement of participating in three Olympic or Asian Games between the years 2010 and 2030, despite the fact that they have consistently scored the required 10 points under the general EVSS structure.Each of the Major Games, in addition to other international competitions such as the world championships, are of great significance. The outcomes comprise the objectives.

“Since the results of the billiard sports have been submitted, there is no reason why their status as an elite sport should be hindered by this prerequisite.”

The last time that billiard sports were competed for at the regional games was in Guangzhou in the year 2010, and even the return of the sport to the Asiad in Doha in the year 2030 would not be sufficient.

On the other hand, Fok emphasized that Hong Kong needs to adjust in order to keep up with the ever-changing sporting globe.

Given that there have been a great deal of shifts in the world of sports, is it possible that this could be a justification for a change in policy on our end as well? It was said by him.

Should the requirements for participation in the Olympic Games or the Asian Games that have been proposed by the Elite Vote Support Scheme, which is run by the Hong Kong Sports Institute, be as stringent as they are?

In his statement, Fok said that one method of modifying the system would be to tweak the length of the timeline or the number of big Games that are required.

According to what he said, “I did not want to discuss this matter, but I believe that it is something that the government ought to try to look into.” Since the sporting landscapes and patterns are always shifting, it is possible that our system might also benefit from increased adaptability.

In light of the fact that the organization has been successful in achieving its goals of promoting sports in the community, providing support for elite sports, and promoting Hong Kong as a center for important international sporting events, Fok has made it very apparent that he would like billiard sports to continue to hold its elite position.

According to him, the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Control Council has done an excellent job of disseminating information about the sport around the city at all levels. Additionally, there was a tremendous response to the Hong Kong Masters in 2022, and there is also the World Grand Prix in March.
Given that the requirements for the subsidy system are results-oriented and tied to the Olympic or Asian Games, Fok, who is also a vice-president of the Hong Kong Olympic Committee, stated that resources might be “unevenly distributed” under the conditions of the system.

In addition, the congressman proposed investigating the prospect of gaining knowledge from the model utilized by the United Kingdom, which involves sponsoring sports through the revenue generated by the National Lottery and opening up new gaming ventures under regulation that is both appropriate and successful.

The statement made by Fok was as follows: “I believe there is room for adjustments in terms of the timeline as well as the number of major Games that are required.” “I do not believe that it is a transition that is that tough.