Top cueists assemble for state c’ship

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STILL GOING STRONG: File picture shows Danny Wong potting a ball at the previous Sibu Open championship.

SIBU: The best of Sarawak cueists will descend here to showcase their potting skills at the 2013 Executive 3 Sarawak Closed Snooker Championship to be held at the Executive 3 Snooker Centre starting Sept 18.

Familiar names like former state champion Mark Yeo, 2012 Sarawak Open runner-up James Giam, title-favorite Tan Chin Yong and the evergreen Danny Wong are all in the line-up as they vie for the prestigious title.

Out of 35 qualifiers from Sibu, Sarikei and Bintulu divisions, 10 have been shortlisted for the final showdown with the rest eliminated.

The 10 qualifiers from the elimination rounds are Raymond Chew, Jeffery Ting Hu Shen, Ting Siew Chon, Steven Wong, Sim Hong Hui, Lo Chee Wee, Ng Hong Man, Ngu Leh Ming, Yu Hung Kai from Sarikei and Lim Mui Meng from Bintulu.

They will join 22 other finalists from Kuching, Miri and Kapit divisions. Sibu’s top three Mark Yeo, Danny Wong and Jee Chau Hui have gained automatic berths based on their marksmanship and past performance.

A fierce battle line has been drawn up for the ultimate showdown of the contenders at Executive 3 Snooker Centre from Sept 18 to 20.

Kuching is sending a total of 15 players with 10 from Kelab Rakreasi Permata.

They are James Giam, Ricardo Sim, Ivan Liew, Lo Sim Po, William Tan, Voong Mui Hian, Terence Lim, Tan Chin Yong, Kho Hu Lai and Sim Kok Hua.

Sarawak Amateur Snooker Association (SASA) is sending four players. They are Law Sze Zee, Jet Lee, Lim Yong Chen and Rolando Lim while Edmund Bong represents Chia Ling Billiard centre.

The two representing Miri from David’s Snooker Centre are Paul Wong and Jeremy Ku while Herry Lee will represent Kapit division.

Asked on his chances, Danny admitted that it would be a tough battle as the tournament has attracted some of the best cueists in the state.

Danny, at 60 and the oldest contestant in the championship, singled out the players from Kuching as the players to watch.

“They are a new generation of A-class players and many of them are stars in their own right. They have been on the rise, very strong and some of them have superb individual skills that are hard to beat. It remains to be seen whether they can translate their skills into victory.

Danny invited local snooker enthusiasts to come and watch the thrilling matches.

“Expect some of the best shots and pots from the state champions. This is going to be a mouth-watering exhibition of the old pitting against the young.”

The champion will bring home RM2,000, the runner up will pocket RM1,000 and the semi-finalists will get RM500 each. All of them will also get a trophy each. The quarter-finalists will each get RM200.

The player achieving the highest break (70 points or above) will get an extra RM300 while the player who achieve the century break will get a unit of Ding JunHui’ cue. (Note that there is only one prize for the highest break and century break).

The championship is also held to mark the official opening of Executive 3 Snooker Centre at Lorong 5, Wong King Huo Road (behind Medan Mall).