KUALA LUMPUR: Many Malaysians take up cue sports, which are made up of American Pool (9-ball), British pool, snooker and billiards, from their teenage years or while pursuing tertiary education.
However, there are also many out there who are clueless about cue sports. It is still a predominantly male domain, though in recent years there has been an increase in the number of women getting into the sport. Some have represented the country.
Recently, the New Straits Times caught up with a handful of past and present national women’s players, as well as enthusiasts who have banded together to set up My Ladies Pool, a platform to get more women, regardless of age, background or skill, to play the game.
They held their first meet last Sunday at The Hustlers, located in Jalan Klang Lama. More than 30 women from all walks of life turned up not just to mingle, make new friends and hone their skills in the game, but also to create awareness.
They want other women to know that such a group exists and that it can help them pick up a new skill for free.
My Ladies Pool is the brainchild of Izani Ismail, 38, a housewife and full-time pool player who thought that it was about time there was an avenue for any woman to learn how to play pool and change the notion that it is a man’s game.
“I only started playing pool back in 2006, and I was encouraged to do so by none other than my sporting husband, his brother and best friend, who frequently play together.
“So initially, I played socially, but as my skills and game progressed in British pool, I also took up playing Chinese pool since last year.
“Now, I take part in tournaments both locally and overseas. I have even organised tournaments in the last few years, up to six to seven a year, so that women players can take part and compete against one another.
“So from humble beginnings as a novice player, I became a referee and tournament organiser. My life has changed a lot, for the better of course, as over the last 13 years, I have gotten a lot of knowledge and experience in the sport, as well as travelling and meeting new people.
“Setting up My Ladies Pool was inevitable and a huge leap. It enables more women to take up the sport as a pastime, hobby or even pursue it all the way if they have what it takes.”
Izani said for a start, they set up a Facebook page to furnish the public with information. They plan to meet and play once a month for now. She expressed gratitude and appreciation to her fellow women players, who have helped her to get things going.
National player Lim Siew Boon, 35, who will represent Malaysia at the Sea Games in Manila this month, got to know Izani years ago thanks to playing the game, and was very excited when she shared the idea of setting up My Ladies Pool.
“Together with Izani, the group is determined to see this through. They include five current and former national players.
“Besides me, they are Klaudia Djajalie, Joanne Suhana Dewi Sabtu, Yuki Wong Poi Sze and Lee Sook Kwan.
“When we first started playing, it was always the same few faces and even then, we knew that we had to do something to get more women to take up the game. But there are not that many female players around.
“Since most pool clubs and centres are filled with men, My Ladies Pool is a much needed means to provide women with a platform to play freely without feeling shy or intimidated.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from, who you are or what you do, as long as you are interested in playing and learning more about the game, we are more than willing to extend a warm welcome by sharing our knowledge and experiences,” said Lim, who first represented Malaysia at the 2007 Sea Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
She said such an initiative was not only necessary to support the empowerment of women, but also to create awareness about cue sports. They want to challenge the perception that it is a man’s game.
Klaudia, 30, a businesswoman who moved back to Malaysia only two years ago and who has been a national player since 2011, said that through the game, she had been able to expand her social network while doing what she loves.
“I lived most of my life in Jakarta and when I first came back, I didn’t know anyone but Izani and Siew Boon. From playing the game, I got to make new friends and acquaintances.
“I am enthusiastic about My Ladies Pool because we want to change the somewhat negative perception about cue sports, that women out there should not be scared or afraid to give it a try, as they could benefit from it in more ways than one just like I did.”
William Leong, 39, co-owner of Hustlers, which played host to My Ladies Pool’s first meet, said the platform was good for cue sports because it was still a relatively small industry.
“We were only too happy to play host to My Ladies Pool’s first meet because it will help change the negative perception surrounding cue sports including pool, snooker and billiards.
“We also knew it would be able to unearth new talent, which is very much needed, especially where women are concerned. So, such an effort will definitely attract more women to get involved in the sport.
“I am encouraging my daughter to join as this is a sport worth pursuing, especially from a young age,” said Leong, who opened the Hustlers only two months ago with his partner.