Latest news with #TheRocket
Borneo Post
21 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Chong urges S'wak govt to prioritise financial aid over mega projects
Chong offers DAP's official magazine, The Rocket during the walkabout. KUCHING (June 22):Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen has urged the state government to prioritise easing the financial burden on low- and middle-income groups rather than allocating funds for mega projects. The Padungan assemblyman and Stampin MP made this call after receiving feedback from the local community during a walkabout in Gala City and Premier 101 commercial centres here yesterday. Chong said people are struggling financially amid the current economic situation. 'The Sarawak government should focus on how to improve our economy and increase the income sources for our low- and middle-income families. 'This is not the time to give priority to the development of mega projects that involve billions of ringgit,' he said after the event, which also saw him promoting DAP's official magazine, The Rocket. Chong said the DAP is not against the state government implementing development projects, but many of those mega projects 'do not seem to directly benefit the people as in increasing their income'. He cited these projects as the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project, the Second Trunk Road project, and the construction of a Deep-Sea Port and a new Kuching International Airport. He said enormous funds are required to make these projects happen and this does not help the low- and middle-income groups, who are facing financial difficulties. According to him, people worry more about whether these large-scale projects would benefit them directly. 'Not only are these projects going to use up tonnes of taxpayers' money, but they do not help increase the income of most people. Money is never enough as far as most people are concerned,' he said. As such, Chong suggested that the state government shift its focus to developing the manufacturing sector in line with enhancing the state's productivity and increasing job opportunities for locals. He believed that this would directly increase household income in the state as well as bring Sarawak's economic level to new heights. Meanwhile, he thanked all those who had supported the DAP Sarawak by purchasing Rocket, hoping that more people would back the DAP to increase opposition voices in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN). At present, he said there are only two DAP elected representatives in the august House. 'Given this scenario, the checks and balances mechanism is as good as none. The only way to see a healthy democracy is by having more opposition members, especially from the DAP, in the House. 'This helps ensure that the government of the day will not approve budgets and implement projects as they wish,' added Chong.
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ronnie O'Sullivan offered major deal by Barry Hearn as sports icon looks beyond snooker
BARRY HEARN is keen to get behind Ronnie O'Sullivan's proposal for snooker academies across the UK. O'Sullivan, 49, revealed his potting masterplan during the World Snooker Championship for a series of clubs in the four Home Nations and Ireland. Advertisement 2 Ronnie O'Sullivan plans to build snooker academies across the UK 2 Promoter Barry Hearn is keen to back O'Sullivan's vision The Rocket reckons him and fellow Class of 92 graduates Mark Williams (Wales) and John Higgins and 1997 world champion Ken Doherty (Ireland) could use their names to front the academies. However, it needs serious funding, perhaps by government channels, and a long-term vision to help discover the next generation to rival the talented young Chinese cueists coming through. There are only two Brits under the age of 30 in the top 50 spots on the world rankings – Jackson Page (23) and Joe O'Connor (29) -- compared to 11 from China, which includes This was put to Hearn, who is a very wealthy man and the president of Matchroom Sport – who plays on Tuesday in the UK Open pool first round – who has embraced the idea. Advertisement Read More on Snooker Hearn, 76, said: 'We've got to work harder on that. We need more academies. 'But you need people that want to play and there's got to be a reason for that. 'I mean the youngsters now that watch 'There's a million people under-21 who are out of work. This is a potential disaster. We're losing the generation. Advertisement Most read in Snooker CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'And sport can be a way of curing that. Snooker can help, I hope. But we need to do more. Definitely. 'So the exhibition of snooker that we are seeing here in Sheffield, maybe a kid goes, 'I'd like to have a go at that'. Ronnie O'Sullivan makes rare blunder in first break of World Snooker Championship semi-final 'The Class of 92 are still an unbelievable story. You think every 50-year-old should start playing snooker because that's the age to be. Advertisement 'But we need the Luke Littler effect in snooker without doubt. 'Ronnie likes his academies. He's got one in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and it's beautiful. They look after him extremely well. 'I don't think he'll get quite the same treatment if he launches a series of academies in England. 'But to use his name would be a very valuable asset in trying to promote grassroots. Advertisement 'And I think if he has really serious ideas, I would welcome a meeting between him and World Snooker. Hearn backs O'Sullivan 'It's all right having a plan. My whole life has been about plans in my head. You have to live them out. 'You can't just say something now. You've gotta do something. 'But if he is serious about it, I would 100 per cent welcome it and get beyond him solidly to launch a series of Advertisement O'Sullivan has seven world titles – a record he shares with Stephen Hendry – and provided he locates a proper cue at some point, having snapped his favourite one in January, he will aim to go for No8 in 2026. Time is running out, of course, for him to achieve that dream and yet he has been badly overlooked by the honours system for what he has done in the sport, given he has only received an OBE. Ronnie praise Hearn said: 'Ronnie O'Sullivan has been the best player in the world for many years. 'There's no question about that. And what he's doing this week is typical Ronnie O'Sullivan, defying all the odds and all logic. Advertisement 'Breaks his cue. Comes back. Tries three or four cues. I mean the boy is a total phenomenon. 'There's a case to say that he deserves to be picked out and to be knighted for services to snooker. 'I mean he's human. He has different parts of attitude that may not appeal to everybody. 'But for his sheer excellence, I think there's a very good case to be made. And I would welcome it.' Advertisement
Sky News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
Zhao Xintong becomes first player from China to win snooker world championship as he beats Mark Williams
Zhao Xintong has become the first player from China to win the snooker world championship after beating Mark Williams 18-12. The 28-year-old is also only the third winner of the tournament to have come through qualifying since it moved to Sheffield in 1977. Sunday night's session began 17-8, meaning Zhao only needed one frame to clinch the title. Three-time world champion Williams gave his fans faint hope of the most dramatic of comebacks when he won the opening four frames, including a break of 101. However, it was only a matter of time and Zhao, nicknamed 'The Cyclone', finally got the frame he needed. He wins £500,000 and the prestige of being the first Chinese and Asian champion at the Crucible. Fifty-year-old Welshman Williams paid tribute to his opponent, saying there's "a new superstar of the game and he's over there". Despite his huge lead, Zhao admitted he was "so nervous" ahead of the final frames and that his historic win seemed like a dream. He thanked his family and coaches and said he would probably "have a good drink tonight". The player was joined by his mother and girlfriend as the ticker tape fell, and he collected the trophy. Zhao - who now lives in the UK - was banned for 20 months in 2023 for his part in a match-fixing scandal. Despite not throwing a match himself, he lost his professional status and was barred from the snooker world tour, though he's due back next season. Zhao also thrashed his hero Ronnie O'Sullivan 17-7 in the semi-final "The Rocket" posted a picture of the pair together when his opponent was a child alongside the caption: "How it started vs how it's going." A record 10 Chinese players made it to the Crucible this year, and Zhao's victory could make him a huge star back home and propel the sport to new heights. When Ding Junhui made it to the final in 2016, more than 200 million people in China are estimated to have watched on TV.
Sky News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
Zhao Xintong becomes first player from China to win snooker world championship as he beats Mark Williams 18-12
Zhao Xintong has become the first player from China to win the snooker world championship after beating Mark Williams 18-12. The 28-year-old is also only the third winner of the tournament to have come through qualifying since it moved to Sheffield in 1977. Sunday night's session began 17-8, meaning Zhao only needed one frame to clinch the title. Three-time world champion Williams gave his fans faint hope the biggest of comebacks could come true when he won the opening four frames, including a break of 101. However, it was only a matter of time and Zhao, nicknamed 'The Cyclone', finally got the frame he needed. He wins £500,000 and the prestige of being the first Chinese and Asian champion at the Crucible. Welshman Williams paid tribute to his opponent, saying there's "a new superstar of the game and he's over there". The player - who now lives in the UK - was banned for 20 months in 2023 for his part in a match-fixing scandal. Despite not throwing a match himself, he lost his professional status and was barred from the snooker world tour, though he's due back next season. Zhao also thrashed his hero Ronnie O'Sullivan 17-7 in the semi-final "The Rocket" posted a picture of the pair together when his opponent was a child alongside the caption: "How it started vs how it's going." A record 10 Chinese players made it to the Crucible this year, and Zhao's victory could make him a huge star back home and propel the sport to new heights. When Ding Junhui made it to the final in 2016, more than 200 million people in China are estimated to have watched on TV. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
Wales Online
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Meet World Snooker Championship final ref Desislava Bozhilova who clashed with Ronnie O'Sullivan
Meet World Snooker Championship final ref Desislava Bozhilova who clashed with Ronnie O'Sullivan Bulgarian official Desislava Bozhilova will fulfil a 'dream' when she becomes only the second woman to referee the World Snooker Championship final at the Crucible in Sheffield Desislava Bozhilova has been tasked with officiating the World Snooker Championship final (Image: Getty Images ) Referee Desislava Bozhilova is set to realise a 'dream' as she prepares to officiate the World Snooker Championship final, becoming only the second woman ever to oversee the Crucible's main event. At 32 years old, Bozhilova, who debuted on the World Snooker Tour in 2012 after being a lifelong fan of cue sports, has steadily risen through the ranks to become one of the sport's most respected officials. Desi first stepped into the Crucible arena in 2019 and has since taken charge of a semi-final at the esteemed venue. The year 2025 will see her reach a pinnacle moment as she officiates a Triple Crown of finals. We delve into the Bulgarian referee's life beyond the baize, exploring her passion for baking, and touch on a memorable fiery exchange with snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan, as well as her sentiments on achieving a final 'dream'. Ronnie O'Sullivan clash During a tense quarter-final match between The Rocket and Stuart Bingham last year, O'Sullivan expressed dissatisfaction with how Bozhilova had respotted the black ball before declining a red during the 12th frame, reports the Mirror. As the match approached its nail-biting conclusion, tied at 10 frames each, the audience began to filter back into the arena while another game featuring Kyren Wilson and John Higgins was about to resume following an interval. The referee has clashed with O'Sullivan in the past (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below With the crowd noise rising, O'Sullivan returned to his seat, preparing for a pivotal shot at a red. It was then that Bozhilova addressed the spectators, requesting: "Would you take your seats quickly, and then hold the door closed for a minute." As The Rocket hesitated to approach the table amid crowd noise, referee Bozhilova attempted to nudge him by saying: "But we might wait 20 minutes." To which O'Sullivan retorted humorously with: "It's not 20 minutes. Just chill, chill." "I'm chilled," replied the referee tersely. This chilly exchange didn't quite boost O'Sullivan during the match, although he did pot a red in the top-right corner. However, he ultimately succumbed to a 13-10 defeat against his adversary Bingham, shattering his dreams of securing an eighth title at the Crucible. Baking passion When it comes to baking, Bozhilova is just as talented as her officiating, holding a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture and displaying her exquisite cake-making prowess on social media. Her Instagram account overflows with colourful and elaborate confectioneries, featuring Christmas trees, unicorns, and even snooker balls, charming her audience of 37,000 followers. Bozhilova shows off her bakes on social media (Image: Instagram/@desbozhilova ) Refereeing 'dream' Before donning the white gloves, the Bulgarian was an avid player of pool and snooker in her childhood. By 2012, Bozhilova had achieved her goal of becoming an international referee and marked her WST debut the same year. Landing the opportunity to be only the second female ever appointed to oversee a Crucible final - joining Michaela Tabb, who did so in 2009 and 2012 - Bozhilova acknowledged it as the realisation of a lifelong 'dream'. "I am really excited, it was an amazing feeling when I was given the news," she expressed to World Snooker. "It is what I have worked towards for many years, it has been my dream. It will be different to any other final because of the atmosphere at the Crucible. Article continues below "Since I started working in snooker, I have learned everything from the more experienced referees. They give advice and tell us how to improve. There is a lot of teamwork, and we support each other," she concluded with joy.
