Moh Keen Ho snooked by MSBF (Laos Sea Games 2009)

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Keen Ho snooked by MSBF

Submitted by Zam on Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Haresh Deol

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 04:14:00

THE list is out and it looks like former Asian junior champion Moh Keen Ho will play no part in this year’s Laos Sea Games. When the Malaysian Snooker and Billiards Federation (MSBF) handed the list of cue artists to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) yesterday, Keen Ho’s name was missing — probably due to his sour relationship with the national body.

MOH PAIN: Keen Ho will not be competing in the Laos Sea Games

The Penangite, best remembered for potting the nation’s 64th gold medal at the Korat Games in 2007, left the national stable after a disagreement with MSBF.

“We have to look forward and give the other players a chance,” said MSBF secretary Melvin Chia. “I’ve handed the list to OCM and they seem satisfied with our athletes. I must stress our objective for the Sea Games is to expose the players as we’ve set our sights on the Asian Games next year.”

Instead, Thor Chuan Leong, who was axed from the national programme because of disciplinary problems, will join Lai Chee Wei in the snooker event.

“Chuan Leong has been part of the team for some time and we selected him on his current form on the local circuit. He also saw action in Korat. So, it’s only natural for us to select him,” said Melvin.

There were no surprises in the pool events as Benjamin Lee Poh Soon, Ibrahim Amir, Esther Kwan Suet Yee and Suhana Dewi Sabtu were selected.

“Benjamin and Ibrahim won the bronze medal in the doubles event in Korat. They are ranked No 16 in the world doubles event, so their selection is justified.”

Suhana was the silver medallist at the 2005 Manila Games while Esther potted the silver medal at the 2006 Doha Asian Games. All are expected to compete under Category A except for the English billiards players. Athletes competing under Category A are fully funded by OCM.

National associations will fund Category B athletes only to be reimbursed by OCM if their athletes win medals. While Roslan Yurnalis is no stranger to the billiards event, MSBF are experimenting with snooker player Chooi Yew Wah to play billiards instead.

Roslan partnered Elvin Lean at the Manila Games to win the bronze medal. He later doubled up with former national champion Moh Loon Hoong to pocket the silver medal in Korat. Loon Hoong retired from the scene leaving MSBF with no choice but to try out Yew Wah.

“We’re encouraging Yew Wah to take up billiards.”

When asked if MSBF have set any target for the Laos Games, Melvin stressed: “Our task is to groom the athletes for the Asian Games. We’ve made it very clear at the beginning that we’re treating this as an exposure trip.

“The draw plays an important role. We’re confident of bagging a couple of silver and bronze medals, but gold would be a pleasant surprise.”

TAKEN FROM : MALAY MAIL