Hong Kong School Adds English Snooker Tables to Train Youth Team; World Champion Wu Anyi Demonstrates Skills
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
St Stephen's Girls' College in Pokfulam has installed English snooker tables for student training, marking a significant step in nurturing young snooker talent as the sport returns to the 2030 Doha Asian Games. Three-time WLBS world champion Wu Anyi attended the opening ceremony on September 29 and played with school team members, expressing hope to see secondary school representatives compete at the Asian Games. The initiative stems from the school's effort to develop snooker systematically among students over the past two years.
Key Points
- The school received two American pool tables from church members approximately six years ago, which were placed in the gymnasium .
- Two years ago, the school opened the facilities for students during lunch breaks and after school, incorporating snooker into a 10-session interest programme called "Dream Voyage" with no more than 20 participants .
- Six student representatives were selected this year to compete in inter-school English snooker competitions, with the school establishing a formal youth team .
- Principal Mak Wai-lun encouraged students to pursue their dreams, citing Wu Anyi's journey from childhood interest to becoming a world champion .
- Student Zhang Ho-kwan, a Secondary Three athlete trained by Wu Anyi's father, was selected as a school team representative and hopes to excel in inter-school competitions .
Why It Matters
With snooker returning to the Asian Games after a prolonged absence, Hong Kong's sporting community faces an urgent need to develop a pipeline of young talent capable of representing the city on the international stage. The collaboration between elite athletes like Wu Anyi and educational institutions demonstrates a grassroots-to-national pathway that could ensure Hong Kong remains competitive in this sport . This model of school-based training combined with mentorship from world-class players offers a replicable framework for other non-traditional school sports to follow.
With snooker returning to the Asian Games after a prolonged absence, Hong Kong's sporting community faces an urgent need to develop a pipeline of young talent capable of representing the city on the international stage. The collaboration between elite athletes like Wu Anyi and educational institutions demonstrates a grassroots-to-national pathway that could ensure Hong Kong remains competitive in this sport . This model of school-based training combined with mentorship from world-class players offers a replicable framework for other non-traditional school sports to follow.