JIMMY WHITE has become the latest snooker star to quit the UK after moving to Hong Kong.
The Whirlwind, 64, has revealed plans to open a snooker academy after relocating to Asia through a talent scheme.
Snooker star Jimmy White has become a Hong Kong resident Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
He will join Ronnie O’Sullivan, who also gained a Hong Kong residency through a talent scheme Credit: Getty
He has joined snooker icon Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump, who also became Hong Kong residents in 2024.
White’s move was announced by the Hong Kong Immigration Department after he picked up his identity card.
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He sealed his residency through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, which O’Sullivan and Trump also used.
White was filmed discussing his move in a video on the department’s Instagram channel.
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He also revealed he was hoping to catch up with his “old friend” – actor Stephen Chow Sing-chi.
He appeared alongside Chow in the 1991 movie Legend of the Dragon, where White played himself.
White – who started his 47th consecutive snooker season this summer – said: “My plan in Hong Kong is to maybe open a snooker academy and find the snooker talent of Hong Kong, promote snooker as much as I can.
“Now I have become a Hong Kong resident, I am going to try looking for my old friend – ‘legend of the dragon’.
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“This is a snooker hub – snooker in Asia started in Hong Kong and now it’s looking as big as ever.”
While seven-time champion O’Sullivan also secured a Hong Kong residency, he splits his time between Dublin and Dubai between tournaments.
Trump is also based in Dubai but does occasionally travel back to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s director of immigration Benson Kwok recently spoke about O’Sullivan after first revealing his plans to move to the Middle East.
He insisted The Rocket had not “given up” on Hong Kong but said he was “not surprised” about his decision to move to Dubai.
Kwok said: “As far as I understand, a lot has been happening for him in the past few months, and it’s hard to say if his immigration plans will change.
“However, he also hasn’t given up on Hong Kong.
“He really likes Hong Kong, so if there are things here that can entice him to stay, he might just choose Hong Kong as his place of residence.”
