Reanne Evans, Ng On-yee eye inaugural Hong Kong World Women’s Masters title with high hopes for future ranking status
- Sponsor and host venue General Snooker says it wants to raise the profile of snooker in the city with a world-class women’s tournament
- The tournament features the world's top four women’s players – Evans, Ng, Rebecca Kenna and Nutcharut Wongharuthai
Organisers of the city’s first world-class women’s tournament are hoping a successful inaugural edition would pave the way for an eventual upgrade to a ranking event.
The top four players in the world – England’s Reanne Evans, Hong Kong’s Ng On-yee, Rebecca Kenna and Thai star Nutcharut Wongharuthai – head the field for the Hong Kong World Women’s Masters from October 10-13 in Lai Chi Kok.
Evans and Ng said they were excited about playing in Hong Kong, which last year hosted an Asian tournament but has never before staged a top-class global women’s event.
“We are excited to be one of the sponsor and the event venue,” said Maggie Chung Mei-chi, brand manager for General Snooker, which started in 1999 and now has several branches in Hong Kong.
“Our aim is to grow interest in snooker in Hong Kong and give local snooker fans the chance to watch outstanding players.
“This tournament will be held in our new branch and we are looking forward to Hong Kong one day holding an event on the world women’s snooker tour.”
The non-ranking tournament is organised by the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Control Council. Apart from the world’s top four players, the event will feature tour regulars Wendy Jans, of Belgium, England’s Laura Evans, top Indians Amee Kamani and Vidya Pillai and rising Thai player Sripaporn Nuanthakhamjan.
Evans, who won a 12th world title in Bangkok in June by beating Nutcharut in the final, is delighted that more women’s tournaments are cropping up around the world.
“I’m looking forward to my first time in Hong Kong, I’ve not heard anyone say a bad thing about it,” said Evans. “Playing in these events helps players who don’t normally get this opportunity.
“Playing in a place [Hong Kong] where they really support their own players, I’m sure the vibe out there will be great. It’s a strong field too so it will help to showcase the quality of women’s snooker.”
Evans, 33, regained the world number one spot from Ng earlier this year and also won the recent UK Championship title in Leeds to strengthen her position at the top.
Ng, a three-time world champion, failed to make it past the quarter-finals this year after losing to Nutcharut, who had the advantage of playing in her home venue at the Hi-End Snooker Club in Bangkok.
“I’m so glad to see there is another ladies tournament in Hong Kong,” said Ng. “Last year was an Asian invitation, this year with more players from around the world, hopefully it will one day be a full ranking event.”
