Hong Kong's Asian Games snooker medal hopes have been hit by the suspension of government funding to billiard sports because of an internal power struggle within the sport's controlling body.
Since the sport was introduced to the games in 1998, Hong Kong players have won two gold, one silver and two bronze medals and hopes are high that they can repeat their success in the forthcoming games to be held in Doha, Qatar, in December.
Mak Yiu-hoi, the elected chairman of the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Control Council's (HKBSCC) management committee, but whose position is in dispute, admitted the training programme for the Asian Games might be affected with the lack of government funding, but was confident the issue would be resolved soon.
'A training squad for the Asian Games will be formed next month with a view to finalising the members in June,' said Mak.
'In the absence of government funding, we are now identifying other resources to provide support to the training squad, but I am sure once the issue with the old office has been sorted out, it will be business as usual,' said Mak.
The funding suspension comes against the background of a leadership dispute relating to the HKBSCC's annual general meeting last year.
