Hongkongers as young as 8 to be allowed entry into billiard venues after 8pm under bill aimed at nurturing future players
- Bill suggests shortening the current 8pm to 10am restricted hours for youngsters to 11pm to 7am
- Industry leader Vincent Law calls for all restrictions to be lifted, saying regulations for young people are unnecessary
Children as young as eight years old will be allowed to enter billiard venues after 8pm under a government proposal aimed at nurturing future professional players, but an industry leader has called for all entry restrictions to be lifted.
The bill, submitted to the Legislative Council on Wednesday, also proposes allowing younger players to remain on such premises until 11pm, and aligning the opening hours with other facilities under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Currently, players under the age of 16 cannot enter licensed billiard establishments from 8pm to 10am. Under the proposal, the restricted hours will be shortened to 11pm to 7am.
Children in school uniforms, who are currently banned from entry, will also be allowed to access such venues under the amendments.
Vincent Law, chairman of the Billiard Sports Council of Hong Kong China, on Thursday said he welcomed the proposed changes, adding that many of the existing regulations were decades old and outdated.
“We feel that the government is finally accepting our perspective and proposing a relaxation. Of course, we support that. It’s better late than never,” he told a radio programme. “But we think there is no need for any restrictions at all.”
Law said many snooker players were as young as 12 or 13. “They have to leave the premises under the existing time limit of 8pm, which poses challenges for us when promoting the sport,” he said.
If the bill is approved, those under eight will have to leave by 11pm.
