Snooker bosses target summer return for Hong Kong Masters after 5 year absence, want world’s best to play in city
- Previous tournament in 2017 included likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins
- But with social-distancing measures still in force in the city, Covid-19 could yet halt plans
Snooker bosses in Hong Kong are hoping to bring back the Hong Kong Masters after a five-year absence, but said the city’s Covid-19 policies held the key to its success.
The Hong Kong Billiard Sports Control Council has put up a tender on its website to invite interested parties to organise the tournament, with a tentative date of August 3 to 7.
However, it notes that could change because of the government’s social-distancing measures aimed at combating the coronavirus pandemic.
Just as in 2017, eight of the world’s top players are expected to be asked to compete, meaning the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, Judd Trump, Neil Robertson and John Higgins could again play at Queen Elizabeth Stadium.
Five years ago the event also formed part of the Hong Kong government’s celebrations of its 20th anniversary since the city’s return to China. Then, Robertson defeated O’Sullivan 6-3 in the final.
“It will probably be under the same format as the one in 2017 which attracted a very good crowd at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium,” a source close to the council said.
“We want to get an event organisers to work with us as time is running short with four months left. Of course no one can confirm anything at this stage even the date as the pandemic situation is still unstable.