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South China Morning Post
12-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Ronnie O'Sullivan still has options in Hong Kong despite Middle East hint, sources say
Ronnie O'Sullivan has not necessarily abandoned plans to deepen his ties with Hong Kong by suggesting he may move to the Middle East, local snooker insiders have said. The seven-time world snooker champion obtained Hong Kong residency last October under the city's Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, but this month said he may relocate to the Middle East from his long-term base in Essex, near London. 'I might be back in six months,' the 49-year-old said. Noting that O'Sullivan had a snooker academy in Dubai, Benson Kwok Joon-fung, Hong Kong's director of immigration, on Sunday told a radio programme : 'It's not surprising he would choose to develop in the Middle East. But he has also been recently preparing to open his snooker academy and club in Hong Kong.' Sources on Monday said they expected O'Sullivan to take his time before finalising his next move. 'Sometimes we need to filter a bit, because Ronnie just says things,' a source who has had dealings with O'Sullivan said. 'Sometimes he might not mean it, or remember what he said.' Ronnie O'Sullivan struggles during the World Championship. Photo: Action Images via Reuters The Englishman had told the Post in December that he would like to 'open many, many snooker and pool halls in Hong Kong' and find a flat in Kowloon.
South China Morning Post
11-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
‘Not surprised' snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan may leave Hong Kong: senior official
Hong Kong's immigration chief has said he is 'not surprised' by the possibility snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan may relocate to the Middle East after the player obtained residency through a talent scheme last year. Advertisement Director of immigration Benson Kwok Joon-fung's comments on Sunday came after O'Sullivan indicated in an interview following his World Championship appearance that he might change his residency arrangement. Kwok acknowledged Hong Kong faced 'stiff competition' when it came to attracting top talent, adding the 49-year-old seven-time world champion also had a snooker academy in Dubai and that he respected his decision. 'It's not surprising he would choose to develop in the Middle East. But he has also been recently preparing to open his snooker academy and club in Hong Kong,' Kwok told a radio programme. 'He hasn't been able to return in the past few months to prepare for his new ventures and life here, so a definitive decision on his future residence may need to wait until he comes back to Hong Kong.' A professional since 1992, O'Sullivan has 41 ranking tournament titles to his name. Photo: Sam Tsang Kwok added that since the adoption of talent acquisition policies in 2022, the department had approved more than 310,000 applications, with 400,000 to 500,000 people coming to Hong Kong, including family members of the main applicants.
