Hong Kong, China snooker star Ng On-yee said a decision by the government last week allowing billiards to retain its Tier A status will help the players as well as the sport's overall development.

The SAR snooker queen returned to Hong Kong on Tuesday after defending her title at the British Open in Walsall, England with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Mink Nutcharut of Thailand.

Speaking to reporters at the airport, Ng said maintaining billiards' Tier A status not only provides important recognition for athletes, but also allows coaches to develop better training programmes.

"Two key factors allowed me to play more freely in this tournament – first, having already secured my World Snooker Tour qualification early, and second, knowing that snooker would maintain its status at the Sports Institute. These significantly reduced my pressure," she said.

Ng added that the move will give more confidence to young athletes developing their careers.

She also spoke about getting into the right frame of mind in the British Open final when her opponent rallied from a 3-0 deficit to force a decisive seventh and final frame.

"When I was leading 3-0, I started thinking just one more frame to win, and that's when I got a bit tight.

"After being pulled back to 3-3, I told myself to stop over-thinking – just treat it like the first frame again.

"Focus on taking every chance that comes, forget what's happened before, and concentrate completely on the current frame."

Ng will next play in the World Women’s Snooker Championship 2025 in Dongguan between May 20 and 27.