Incumbent Melvin Chia has pledged to source more funding to develop cue sports in the country after returning unopposed as president of the Malaysian Snooker and Billiards Federation (MSBF) for the 2021-22 term.
The federation's virtual annual general meeting (AGM)-cum-elections was held on July 31.
The meeting was delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Cue sports do not have a good image as many associate snooker, pool and billiards to unhealthy activities. I need to change the perception of people, especially sponsors who tend to stay away from funding cue sports," said Melvin, who has been MSBF president since 2013.
"We need funding to hold tournaments and develop up-and-coming players."
Melvin hopes his new deputy president Datuk Mohamed Anis Hisham, who is a well-known developer, will help attract corporate sponsors to fund cue sports.
Anis replaced Lim See Onn, who did not seek re-election. However, See Onn has been appointed as assistant treasurer.
"We have some support from the National Sports Council (NSC), but it is limited as we are classified as a tier two sport.
"We do not have a proper development centre under the NSC. The previous initiative in Bukit Jalil was discontinued in 2012 following an internal issue in MSBF.
"Furthermore, our national training programme in Bandar Sunway has been discontinued due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I hope as a new committee, we will be able to work together to revive cue sports in the country," he added.
