Moh Keen Ho is a young teenager that the Malaysian Snooker and Billiards Federation wanted to turn into a world beater. Keen Ho is a Sea Games gold medalist and showed great promise. Keen Ho has now quit the National Snooker Team training camp and will no longer be under the care of the National Sports Council.

Keen Ho was receiving a monthly allowance of RM 2,500 with food and lodging provided. He had won the 64th gold medal for Malaysia at the Korat Sea Games last year in men’s snooker singles and was crowned Asian Junior Champion in 2005.

Keen Ho was confronted by the Malaysian Snooker and Billiards Federation (MSBF) council president, Datuk W.Y. Chin, five days ago. Chin wanted to know why Keen Ho had missed many training sessions at the NSC Snooker Center. Keen Ho then told the council that he wanted to quit the training camp.

The MSBF accepted his resignation and then decided that Keen Ho’s teammate, Thor Chuan Leong, would be let go as well. Leong had previously been accused of skipping training. Chin was angry with Keen Ho for leaving but decided to not take any disciplinary action.

“We queried Keen Ho for skipping training but he made it very clear that he was no longer interested in attending the training sessions at the NSC. Once he made up his mind there was nothing further to discuss. We do not condone indiscipline. As for Chuan Leong, we need to teach him what discipline is all about if he wants to improve. We decided not to impose sanctions against Keen Ho and he is free to compete in any local tournaments, regardless whether it’s sanctioned by the federation. It may be a big loss to the country but it’s an even bigger loss to him as he will no longer enjoy the perks of being a national player. Priority will not be given to him anymore and if he is still interested to don national colours, he will have to attend trials.” added Chin.

Chin also stated that Keen Ho was dissatisfied with his monthly allowance and believed that he could earn more on his own, outside the MSBF.


- 2008-10-14