Derek Franklin
Fresh from competing in the 6-Reds Snooker Tournament in Bangkok, former
World Snooker Champion from Ireland, Ken Doherty, and one of the most famous
and legendary players of the game, Jimmy White, travelled to Pattaya for a
series of exhibition matches.
A valuable lesson from a former
World Champion.
On Sunday afternoon, and in between their busy schedule,
they visited the Father Ray Children’s Home where they were welcomed by more
than one hundred children, workers and volunteers.
Upon arrival at the Home the two VIP’s received welcome garlands from the
younger children, who impressed the visitors as they were all dressed in
traditional Thai costume.
Recently two pool tables were donated to the Children’s Home and it has
become a very popular pastime for all the children, boys and girls, and a
group of selected children were sitting nervously near each table as they
waited their turn to play the legends.
First up to play against Jimmy White was a young twelve year old boy who
goes by the name of Dream and who is not quite tall enough to reach the
center of the table. But Dream played well and it came down to the black
ball to decide the winner, which to everyone’s surprise the young twelve
year old potted; and no one was more shocked than Dream when he realized he
had won, and who he had beaten.
While Jimmy was playing his opponent, Ken was on the second table and
showing the older boys some of the skills that made him the 1997 Snooker
World Champion, and very impressed they were.
Jimmy White, with his namesake,
James, a teacher at the Home.
After more than an hour of non stop games the visitors
were surrounded by the children asking for autographs. T-shirts, shorts,
school books, scrap pieces of paper and even hands were signed, and it took
a further thirty minutes before everyone had their photos taken with both
Jimmy and Ken.
It was a day the children at the Father Ray Children’s Home will never
forget, the day two sporting legends came to visit and even though the visit
was part of a very busy schedule both Jimmy White and Ken Doherty showed
everyone what true gentlemen they really are.
Another reason for coming to Pattaya was for Ken and Jimmy to discuss the
possibility of organizing, in 2014, a snooker tournament which will be named
the ‘Pattaya Open’. This competition will involve eight players, four Thai
and four foreign, played at a local venue, and which will hopefully become
an annual event.
More information about the Father Ray Children’s Home can be found at www.
fr-ray.org or email [email protected]
The children presented garlands
of flowers to welcome the two snooker legends.
It was all down to the final
black ball.
This young lady proved that
snooker is not just a man’s game.
Ken signs autographs for his new
fans.
Jimmy did not seem to upset after
losing to twelve year old Dream.
The welcoming committee.
The children were very impressed
with the skills of the two players.
T-shirts, hands, paper and
snooker balls were just some of the items Jimmy signed.
