Legendary Snooker Star Jimmy White Becomes Hong Kong Resident
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Legendary snooker player Jimmy White, known as "The Whirlwind," has officially become a Hong Kong resident through the Quality Talent Admission Scheme's Achievement-based Scoring route. The 64-year-old British player, who earned runner-up at the World Snooker Championship six times and secured 23 professional titles, completed his Hong Kong ID registration at the Immigration Department on December 12. White revealed plans to open a snooker school in Hong Kong to nurture local talent and promote the sport. His connection to Hong Kong dates back to 1991 when he appeared in Stephen Chow's movie "Legend of the Dragon," and he hopes to reconnect with his "old friend" from that film.
Key Points
- Jimmy White, born in London in 1962, secured 23 professional snooker titles including 10 ranking tournament championships
- He applied through the Quality Talent Admission Scheme's Achievement-based route, with Immigration Commissioner KWOK Chun-feng facilitating his application
- White appeared in Stephen Chow's 1991 film "Legend of the Dragon," where he faced the star in a snooker showdown
- From 2023 to mid-2024, 138 athletes obtained Hong Kong residence through the scheme, including Olympic and Asian Games medalists
- Hong Kong previously attracted snooker greats Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, and Neil Robertson as residents
Why It Matters
White's arrival strengthens Hong Kong's position as a destination for elite snooker talent and provides local players with access to world-class coaching. The government's successful recruitment of international sports stars through the Quality Talent Admission Scheme demonstrates Hong Kong's growing appeal as a sporting hub, particularly following last year's World Grand Prix at Kai Tak Sports Park .
White's arrival strengthens Hong Kong's position as a destination for elite snooker talent and provides local players with access to world-class coaching. The government's successful recruitment of international sports stars through the Quality Talent Admission Scheme demonstrates Hong Kong's growing appeal as a sporting hub, particularly following last year's World Grand Prix at Kai Tak Sports Park .