How did Sam aim to change the public perception of snooker?

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Sam Cheong aimed to elevate snooker's status from a mere parlour game to a respected sport by instilling discipline and rigorous training in players. He drew parallels with tenpin bowling, which successfully transitioned from a similar perception.

Sam Cheong's overarching ambition for snooker and billiards was to fundamentally alter how the public perceived these sports, moving them away from the stigma of being casual parlour pastimes. He believed that achieving this transformation required a significant shift in the mindset of the players themselves. This involved cultivating attributes such as intense focus, unwavering discipline, and a commitment to rigorous, dedicated training. Cheong specifically cited the example of tenpin bowling, which, like snooker, was once viewed as a simple recreational activity but managed to gain broader sporting recognition.
Shifting Player Mindset Through Discipline

A core element of Cheong's strategy to change snooker's public image was to foster a more professional and dedicated approach among players. He articulated that the key to altering players' perspectives on their sport was to imbue them with a sense of focus and discipline. This, he stressed, needed to be coupled with a commitment to train arduously. Cheong's personal regimen exemplified this, involving extended periods of solitary practice in snooker rooms for 10 to 11 days at a time to hone his skills.
Overcoming Perceptual Hurdles

Cheong acknowledged the significant challenge in reshaping snooker's established image, even as the number of snooker centres proliferated across the country. He observed that the proliferation of centres, while increasing accessibility, also intensified business competition. This competitive environment often led centres to incorporate additional entertainment options to attract customers, inadvertently reinforcing the perception of snooker as just one facet of a broader entertainment offering rather than a sport in its own right.
Promoting Grassroots Development and Professionalism

While Cheong's personal mission focused on changing player and public perception through dedication and discipline, broader initiatives also contributed to snooker's development. The Malaysian Snooker and Billiard Federation (MSBF) played a role by introducing the sport in schools through grassroots programmes between 2002 and approximately 2005, involving five schools. Cheong himself was instrumental in elevating the sport's profile at an elite level, evidenced by his five national championship titles and his pioneering status as the first Malaysian to join the WPBSA professional ranks in the United Kingdom in 1991.

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How did Sam aim to change the public perception of snooker?

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