The elite of world snooker including Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump and Mark Selby have been invited to play in Hong Kong this August – subject to the city’s government giving the all-clear. Organisers are seeking approval to stage the Hong Kong Masters from August 4 to 7, and have already sounded out the top players. Its feasibility and success could depend on Covid-19 prevention measures in Hong Kong, where tight travel restrictions remain in place and those playing indoor sport have been required to wear face masks . Snooker bosses are in talks with the government about regulations including the current seven-day mandatory hotel quarantine for all arrivals in the city. The outcome of those talks, which could emerge by the end of the month, will be watched closely by other sports, as well as the city’s residents, who are not exempt from quarantine. The tournament would take place at the city’s Queen Elizabeth Stadium, with access for spectators among the matters being discussed. Invitations have been sent to O’Sullivan, the world No 1 and newly crowned world champion, and No 2 Trump, whom he beat in the world final. The list also includes the rest of the world’s top six – Selby, Neil Robertson, John Higgins and Chinese sensation Zhao Xintong – along with Hong Kong’s leading players Marco Fu Ka-chun and three-time women’s world champion Ng On-yee . Fu expressed confidence that the event would go ahead as he shared images from the 2017 edition of the tournament on social media. He lost in the semi-finals of that event to Robertson, who went on to overcome O’Sullivan 6-3 in the final. “Lots of happy moments in the last major tournament in Hong Kong,” Fu wrote on Twitter. “Looks like there will be one this summer! Hope it will happen!” The response from Fu’s fellow players suggested that they were eager to return to Hong Kong. O’Sullivan was among the first to reply, writing: “Miss Hong Kong, hopefully we’re back there soon.” I hope so, one of the best venues Iv ever played at https://t.co/xXLyaZieHW — Judd Trump (@judd147t) May 6, 2022 The 46-year-old this month moved level with Stephen Hendry on seven world titles, the most in the modern era, when he held off Trump 18-13 at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. Trump replied to Fu’s tweet with: “I hope so, one of the best venues I’ve ever played at.” Selby tweeted: “I so hope this will happen. I absolutely love Hong Kong, one of my favourite places and was a great venue last time. Fingers crossed it happens again.” Robertson, snooker’s player of the year after winning the English Open, the Masters, the Players Championship and the Tour Championship, was also enthusiastic about the possibility of defending his title in Hong Kong. “Every player had a great time and what a venue to play at!” Robertson wrote in response to Fu’s tweet. “3,000 cheering every shot made it an amazing atmosphere.” Every player had a great time and what venue to play at! 3000 cheering every shot made it an amazing atmosphere🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/8JvFhD4eHy — Neil Robertson (@nr147) May 6, 2022 Home fans may be given the chance to watch Zhao, who has been tipped as a future world champion and has enjoyed a breakthrough season in which he lifted the UK title and the German Masters. O’Sullivan has said that Zhao “may be the best of all time with his talent, his abilities”. Vincent Law Wing-chung, chairman of the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Control Council, said that negotiations were continuing with the government and World Snooker, which organises and sanctions professional events globally. “We haven’t decided whether we will be able to open up to 3,000 spectator seats this year,” Law said. “Everything relies on the government’s Covid-19 limits. “We’re expecting to have a clear picture this month, so that we can start making plans.” Announcing the return of the Masters this year would come as Hong Kong prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of its 1997 handover from Britain to China, on July 1.