Hi All
December the 1st , arrival in Doha with the Hong Kong team. This was really cool as we were all in the HK uniform sponsored by Addidas this year. Our kit was really neat and we all looked great and there was very much a feeling of togetherness as almost 100+ HK athletes of all disciplines boarded and landed together this day in Doha. Of course this is my 1st games and I am the obly rookie on the HK Billiards Team, my team mates this games was Marco Fu Ka Chun, Fung Kwok Wai, Chan Wai Ki and Au Chi Wai. To be selected and to be part of the 2nd biggest sporting event on earth is truly amazing. Obviously the biggest being the Olympic Games.
Day 1 - Arrived in Doha, you can already sense the excitement as tonight is the night of the Opening Ceremony and also the day where each country athletes walk into the arena with their national flags. We were looked after from the moment we arrived and seeing the other athletes al like us kitted out properly just hit home that this isnt just another tournament, its more than that. It is about doing it for yourself and more for your country, it is a dream to step on that Podium and put your country on the Map! and let the whole world see you getting that medal.
That morning we were driven to the Athletes Village, and never in my life i could have imagined on such scenese, each country was given their own block of flats and only athletes of that Country was allowed in. We had time to look around and almost everything you could have wanted was there for us in the village. Their was a specially built cinema, dining area (almost twice the size of a football field) Internet and gaming stations, gym, swimming pool, table tennis, snooker, basically the athletes had all the things in the world there to realx and enjoy during the intensity of the game. So after a quick look round and getting our free gifts itw as time to gather for the Opening Ceremony!
Opening Ceremony - OMG! that is the only way i can describe it. Imagine walking in to a football field with 90,000 flashing lights, well only this time i was not imagining! There we were the whole HK team walking with our national flags and wearing our national uniform walking into the arena where they are holding the opening ceremony. It was greta to meet the local volunteers and seeing all the other athletes at the same time. I certainly will remember this day and the feeling inside for the rest of my life, never ever have I felt such excitement and the feeling of greatness! Wow!
Day 2 - Well after the last night it was time to catch up on some rest and just chill out within our apartment, just joking around and getting use to each other. The lads are great bunch, very sarcastic and we bonded extremely well as a team. We also took time to have a look at the venue where we will be playing in. You can see pics by going to
www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk and look for Asian Games.
Day 3 - Today we practised and getting back to a normal routine as the competition starting day is looming.
Day 4 - Snooker doubles started there campaign today. Reach Final of pairs vs China. SO great start for us a s we are now guranteed a medal!
Day 5 - Snooker 3 man team started. Reached final vs China! Snooker doubles unfortunately lost to a string China Team led by Ding Jun-Hui. Never the less a silevr medal and another final to be played tommorow!
Day 6 - Snooker Singles started. Marco Fu lost 4-3 to China Liang Wenbo and My other team mate lost 4-3 to Ding Jun-hui. Both lost in Quarter - Finals. HKG team lost in final yet again to China! thats China 2 golds for Ding Jun-Hui and still in Singles
Day 7 - Pool 8 ball started. I won my 1st 2 matches and now in Last 16. Beating World 9 ball Semi - Finalist Li He Wen on the way. Will now play Satoshi Kawabata tommorow. Today Ding Jun-Hui won his 3rd gold medal of the games!
Day 8 - Lost last 16 9-8 to Kawabata. Congratulations to Kawabata who went on to win the gold medal in this event. Looking at his results my match with him was the closest he had encountered, gutted to have lost but to lose to a champion makes it feel better!
Day 9 - Pool 9 Ball Started. Won my 1st match 11-5 and now up against Taiwan Wonderkid Wu Cha Ching, the 2006 world champion. Unfortunately my performance here was not that great and eventually lost 11-6. Pretty tough drawa but no excuse as it seems my effort in the 8 ball has tired me out tos ome extent and just couldnt get going in this event. No medal for me in my 1st games but vowed to be back and hopefully challenging agian in next games in 4 years time in China.
Day 10 - Well its all over for us the billiards team as concerned, we arrived back in HK 11th and to a sea of reporters and photographers at the airport. Mainly because Marco has won 2 silver medals so there was alot of media interest upon our arrival home.
A great games and I look forward to the next. The best sporting experience of my life for sure!
