Foul!

Malaysia Snooker and Billiards Federation president Melvin Chia had late last night informed me about Lim Kok Leong's ( main picture ) historic win at the World Amateur Snooker Championship in  Antalya, Turkey. Lim defeated Amir Sarkhosh, the former Asian Champion from Iran, 5-0. My first question to Melvin was: "So was he there alone, or with a coach?" Melvin replied: "Where got money for full time coach lah . Sam Chong is only hired on an ad hoc basis." Melvin was referring to the legendary Sam Chong, who coached the Malaysian side during the a series of world events held in Pandan Indah, Kuala Lumpur recently. So who was in Turkey? The cue artists who represented Malaysia were Lim, Moh Keen Hoo and Chooi Yew Wah. Their team manager was Iskandar Perwira Putra while another Malaysian was there as a referee. The best ever achievement by a Malaysian before this year's edition was reaching the quarter finals. Not bad for a sport that doesn't enjoy much s...

The Sports Commissioner's Office (SCO) has taken a shot at the Malaysian Snooker and Billiards Federation (MSBF). And the national body was quick to admit the SCO was right in doing so. Sports Commissioner Datuk Zaiton Othman told NST MSBF has been given a final warning to provide necessary information, including their Annual General Meeting (AGM) minutes, or face deregistration. "As the national body, they (MSBF) should lead by example especially in terms of good governance," said Zaiton, when contacted yesterday," Zaiton was quoted as saying. "It is sad when a national body do not manage themselves well. How are they going to support their affiliates and help the sport reach greater heights?" Read the full report here . MSBF preisdent Melvin Chia said: "The documentation is in place but our secretary (David Ong) had failed to submit (to SCO)." "We also shifted our office three times and thus we didn't receive any letters,...

As published in Mailsport today  Loon Hong in this picture posted by a fan on Facebook. By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA — It is a bleak Chinese New Year for the snooker fraternity after legendary billiards maestro Moh Loon Hong passed away yesterday. Loon Hong suffered from cancer of the bladder and passed on at 4.33am at Unversiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). He was 63. The Penangnite was a hit on the green carpet, having won two SEA Games gold medals in the 1991 Manila Games and 1995 Chiang Mai Games. He clinched the bronze at the 1993 Singapore Games. Snooker runs in the blood of the family as his son Keen Ho also excelled in the sport, having won the Asian Junior Championship in 2003 and winning the SEA Games gold medal in Korat in 2007. His daughter Chaw Teng plays pool for the country. Loon Hong was supposed to play alongside Keen Ho in the upcoming Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. “It’s a loss ... I’m lost for words,” said Keen Ho. ...

Having the pleasure of covering Thor Chuan Leong when he was a rookie in the scene, I am humbled to have recorded his achievement after he won the Asian Snooker Championship yesterday. Congratulations Thor!                                 As published in Mailsport today National cue artist Rory Thor Chuan Leong (pic) has now joined the likes of legendary snooker players Sam Chong and Ooi Chin Kay after potting the Asian Championship title in Fujairah, UAE yesterday.  Thor defeated Taiwan’s Hung Chung Ming 7-3 in the final to lift the title, ending Malaysia’s 20 year drought in the regional meet. Chong won the title in 1990 while Ooi was named champion in the 1994 edition.   The Penangite was elated with the win but stressed he was no where near the likes of Chong and Ooi.   “They are still better...