Britain's Ronnie O'Sullivan plays a shot during his match against Chinese Zhou Jinhao at the Shanghai Masters snooker tournament in Shanghai on July 16, 2024. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)
Seven-time snooker world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has been granted residency in Hong Kong, a move he celebrated in a video by the Hong Kong government on Thursday. O’Sullivan, who last competed in Hong Kong in March and appeared at the 2022 Hong Kong Masters, praised the city’s hospitality, culture, and strong passion for snooker, a sport with a significant following in the region.
O’Sullivan, 48, expressed admiration for Hong Kong’s food, culture, and favorable tax policies, encouraging others to consider the city for its quality of life. “I’ve spent a lot of time in Hong Kong,” he shared, adding that he has good friends there and always enjoys his stays. Hong Kong’s immigration chief Benson Kwok also publicly welcomed O’Sullivan through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme.
O’Sullivan’s popularity in Hong Kong and China has soared, with more than 8,000 fans attending the Hong Kong Masters to watch him play local star Marco Fu two years ago. Hong Kong boasts a rich snooker history, with champions like three-time women’s world champion Ng On-yee and men’s semi-finalist Marco Fu.
In the video, O’Sullivan, speaking some Mandarin, shared his enthusiasm for working in Hong Kong, enjoying the local cuisine, and perhaps playing more snooker. The government continues to launch visa initiatives aimed at attracting global talent, further enhancing the city’s appeal as a destination for international stars and professionals.
