The head of the Billiards Sports Council of Hong Kong has welcomed a proposal to allow children as young as eight to enter licensed billiards premises.

Under the government proposal, which will be put to the Legislative Council for discussion on Monday, the minimum age for entering licensed billiards premises will be lowered from the present 16 to eight, while teenagers will be allowed to stay at clubs until 11pm, rather than 8pm.

Young people will also be allowed to wear school uniform in clubs.

Chairman of the council, Vincent Law, called the plan a step in the right direction.

"We welcome the proposal but to be honest, I think any restriction is unnecessary because after all, billiard is a sport. I think no one can deny that. Billiard establishments, billiard clubs, or whatever you name it are sports venues,” he told RTHK.

“I don't see any need to impose any restrictions on the type of people or age or time for people to go a sports venue. But still, the change is a big improvement."

Law added that Hong Kong is home to a lot of successful snooker players, and the easing of rules can encourage new blood to join the sport.

"It will definitely be a positive impact for parents because now we can officially introduce the sport to young people. We don't have to ask them to change into casual wear, and not to wear school uniforms when they go to billiard clubs. You can just go practice and play after school," he said.