KUALA LUMPUR: Following the world conquering feats of their cueists, the Malaysia Snooker and Billiards Federation (MSBF) are hoping the National Sports Council (NSC) will consider giving Lim Kok Leong and Moh Keen Hoo training allowances.
MSBF president Melvin Chia said this will help them focus on improving their game instead of worrying about their livelihoods.
"We have received support from NSC, but it has mostly been on an ad-hoc basis, such as when we want to go abroad for tournaments," said Melvin.
"We have, a number of times, requested training allowances for our players. They are working and do not receive any training allowances.
"They work at snooker clubs (as coaches) and fortunately their bosses are understanding and give them leave to play in tournaments.
"If they have conventional jobs, they probably wouldn't be able to do that.
"I am hoping that with NSC's support, we can come up with a better programme for them which will help them with their livelihoods and let them focus better on training."
In addition to coaching, Keen Hoo, 35, sells snooker equipment such as cues and tables to supplement his income. But this further eats into his training time.
Kok Leong created history when he became the first Malaysian to win the World amateur individual championships in Antalya, Turkiye, last week.
A month earlier, Kok Leong-Keen Hoo won the World Amateur Team title in Kuala Lumpur. It was the second time the pair had won the event after first winning it in 2015 in Karachi.
Melvin said MSBF will request NSC to reward the duo under the National Sports Incentive Scheme.
"To be honest, I'm not sure whether NSC will accept it, but we will still apply because they definitely deserve it."
Kok Leong and Keen Hoo have also consistently delivered gold for Malaysia in the Sea Games.