(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Judd Trump and Neil Robertson Launch New Snooker Academy in Hong Kong
Snooker stars Judd Trump and Neil Robertson have teamed up to open the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Academy, a new professional training facility aimed at developing the next generation of cue sports talent in the region.
The Academy, located in a shopping mall in Kowloon City, features five full-sized snooker tables and four smaller tables. Both Trump and Robertson hold Hong Kong residency under the region’s Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, joining fellow seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in that category.
Robertson, a former world number one from Australia, has expressed his support for Hong Kong to host a future World Snooker Championship. While continuing to live in the UK, he plans to use Hong Kong as a seasonal base and is considering a full-time move with his family.
Speaking to local media, Trump and Robertson shared their goal of helping Hong Kong produce its first men’s world snooker champion. The inspiration comes after Zhao Xintong became the first player from mainland China and Asia to win the World Snooker Championship earlier this year.
Hong Kong has seen notable success in women’s snooker, with Ng On Yee claiming three World Women’s Snooker Championship titles and becoming the first Asian woman to top the world rankings. On the men’s circuit, current Hong Kong representatives include Wang Yuchen, Ka Wai Cheung, Marco Fu, and Ng On Yee.
Trump, currently ranked world number one, said:
“Our aim is to inspire the next generation here and give them access to the same facilities we use. We want snooker to be as appealing and accessible as other popular sports in Hong Kong.”
Robertson added:
“This is an exciting project with Judd, who is the best player in the world right now. We want to keep growing the sport globally and give young players every chance to succeed.”
The opening of the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Academy marks a significant step in promoting snooker in Asia, with hopes that it will produce champions on the world stage in the years to come.
