KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian snooker lost its up-and-coming star Afiq Abdullah following a car accident in Seremban.
The 13-year-old who was competing in the National Under-21 Junior Snooker Championship in Seremban, suffered fatal injuries and passed away on the spot, while four others sustained injuries in the unfortunate car crash on Tuesday night.
A devastated Malaysia Snooker and Billiards Federation (MSBF) president Melvin Chia offered condolences to Afiq's family and said that Malaysia had lost a star in the making.
"We had big plans for Afiq, he was playing from the age of nine and showed potential. We were looking to groom him into a champion," said Melvin.
"We were planning to place him at the Bukit Jalil Sports School together with a few more youngsters to start a new development programme next year asnd his parents had agreed it."
"Unfortunately, his fate has denied him this opportunity. It's a great loss to the sports, MSBF and to our country."
Melvin added that Afiq comes from a snooker family as his father is a professional player while his mother works in a snooker centre.
"Afiq basically grew up surrounded by snooker. He picked up the sport quickly and had the skill to go further... It's a big blow for the family," he added.
