C. Khor
The Crystal Palace Snooker Club has officially opened on Level 3 of All Seasons Place in Bandar Baru Ayer Itam. Penang exco member Daniel Gooi Zi Sen launched it on the evening of 27 October.
The opening comes as Penang prepares to host snooker and billiards at the 2027 SEA Games. Gooi hopes the club will become a platform for local talent.
Here is what we know about the venue, who attended and why the timing matters.
What opened at All Seasons Place
The club sits on Level 3 of All Seasons Place. Gooi, who holds the youth, sports and health portfolio, officiated at 7.30pm.
Its facilities include a seating lounge and modern spectator areas, as the opening was reported. The managing director is Yeoh Chong Aik.
The tables come from Xing Pai, according to Gooi’s speech. He said the firm supplies tables for the World Snooker Tour. Its general manager, Jason Gan, attended.
However, the opening material did not give the number of tables. It also left out opening hours, rates and a contact number.
Therefore, check with the club before you go. Ask about table bookings and whether walk-ins are welcome.
Also plan your trip ahead, since the club is on an upper floor of a mall. Allow time to find parking in Bandar Baru Ayer Itam.
Who joined the opening of Crystal Palace
Several figures from the snooker world and the authorities attended. Their presence suggests the sport has strong backing in the state.
Dato’ Seri Sonny Ho Kiong Chan, managing director of Belleview Group, was among the guests. The speech named him, but it did not describe his role in the club.
Melvin Chia See Oon, president of the Malaysian Snooker and Billiards Federation, also took part. So did Dato’ Michael Tan Cheong Heng, chairman of the Penang Billiard and Snooker Association.
Police and fire officers were present as well. Sarjan Mejor Loganathan of the Bandar Baru police and Dr Jamil Abdullah of Bomba Zone 1 were named.
In addition, the speech thanked the organisers for building a venue the community could enjoy.
The guest list covered the federation, the state association, the table supplier and the emergency services.
Crystal Palace: Why the timing matters
Penang will host snooker and billiards at the 2027 SEA Games. The Games run from 18 to 29 September next year.
Penang will stage six Games sports in all. Besides snooker and billiards, they are sepak takraw, judo, boxing, table tennis and floorball.
Gooi tied the club to that event. He said he hopes it becomes a platform for local talent to train and compete.
“Who knows? The players practising here today could one day represent Penang and Malaysia at the SEA Games,” he said.
Malaysia has produced SEA Games medallists in cue and board sports before. Chess star Yeoh Li Tian won rapid chess bronze at the 2019 Games, for example.
No source has said the Crystal Palace Snooker Club will host any Games matches. For now, it is a new place to play.
Meanwhile, players in Ayer Itam and nearby areas gain a venue closer to home. We will update this story when the club shares its hours and rates
Amirull Salihing
CJMY
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