MARCUS Ng, hailing from Port Moresby, emerged victorious as the champion of the prestigious Kimbe Snooker Open Championship, which took place over the weekend in the bustling capital of West New Britain.
In a thrilling showdown at the San Remo Club on Sunday afternoon, Ng showcased his exceptional skills, overcoming the formidable Djorne Fong, one of PNG’s top-ranked players, with a decisive scoreline of 4-2 in the grand final.
From an initial pool of 32 talented players, both competitors captivated audiences with their outstanding performances, swiftly advancing into the top 16. Demonstrating a combination of experience and finesse, they persevered through the quarter-finals, eventually facing off against Nathan Fong and Marcus Rahman in the semi-finals, where each player was eager to secure their place in the final.
In a tense do-or-die atmosphere, Djorne Fong outperformed Marcus Rahman, while Marcus Ng exhibited remarkable strategy to prevail over Nathan Fong. This triumph led Ng to a well-earned victory against Djorne Fong in the grand final, allowing him to claim the coveted cup along with a substantial prize of K4000.
As the runners-up, Djorne Fong walked away with K2000 and a trophy, reflecting his impressive performance throughout the tournament. Third place was taken by Marcus Rahman who received K1000 and a trophy, while Nathan Fong secured a commendable fourth place, receiving K500 along with a trophy for his efforts.
Meanwhile, the Cue Sport Association president, John Sitapai, extended his gratitude to every participant for their involvement in making the championship a success.
He emphasized the significance of their contributions to promoting cue sports within the province, stating, “We can’t thank you enough. Please accept the little gift we presented from our hearts.” He acknowledged the participation of outstation players including Marcus Rahman, Marcus Ng, Djourne, Chris So’onwai, and the 25 local players, highlighting that without their dedication and enthusiasm, the event wouldn’t have been possible.
Sitapai expressed pride in the event’s smooth execution, attributing its success to the diligent efforts of tournament director Joe Chan, despite the inherent challenges that come with organizing such competitions.