Advertisement
Advertisement
Marco Fu
Get more with myNEWS
A personalised news feed of stories that matter to you
Learn more

Games glory top priority for Fu

Marco Fu

Hong Kong's Marco Fu Ka-chun has set the Asian Games as his top priority even if it means losing world ranking points by missing the British Championship.

Fu was chosen yesterday, along with Au Chi-wai, Fung Kwok-wai, Chan Wai-kei, Chan Kwok-ming and Lee Chun-man, for the tournament in Doha in December.

'My main concern will be the Asian Games, no doubt about it,' said Fu when asked about a possible clash of dates with the British showpiece.

Fu leaves on Monday for the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast, the opening tournament in the 2006-07 season.

'You can only represent your region in a major games every four years and it is an honour. The British Championship is also important as it is a major tournament on the professional circuit and you earn 3,000 world ranking points just for a win in the opening round.'

But winning a medal for Hong Kong at the Asian Games was more important, he said.

The British Championship will be held from December 4-17 while all three snooker events - singles, doubles and team - at the Doha Games will take place from December 4-7.

Mak Yiu-hoi, chairman of the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Control Council was confident the matter could be sorted out, however.

'We are having talks with the organisers of the British event and have suggested that they reschedule Fu's first-round match, if he makes it through the qualifiers, to November,' said Mak.

'If he makes it, Fu can advance to the second round which starts on December 10. The suggestion will mean a minor disruption to their schedule.'

China's number one, Ding Junhui, has also been selected for the Asian Games, but the hottest player on the circuit will not be affected by the dates clash because he will start in the second round in Britain as defending champion.

Fu, who has won two team golds and one silver in the doubles for Hong Kong at two Asian Games, hopes to take part in all three events in Doha, but it might be considered too hectic over four days.

Of the six members, only Lee has been confirmed for the eight-ball and nine-ball events, while the other five are all possible contenders for singles, doubles and team events for snooker.

Post