The World Snooker Grand Prix 2025 will be held from March 4 to 9 at the Kai Tak Sports Park. This will be the first time that the tournament will be held in Hong Kong and will feature the top 32 snooker players worldwide. However, Ronnie Antonio O'Sullivan, originally scheduled to play in Hong Kong, has withdrawn due to a health problem and will be replaced by Hossein Vafaei, currently ranked 33rd.

Organizers were informed on March 1 by Ronnie O'Sullivan that he is unfortunately unable to participate in the event due to his health condition.

O'Sullivan expressed his regret for not being able to participate in the tournament and emphasized that he has always been eager to make a comeback in Hong Kong and has put in his best efforts to do so, but in the end, it was not possible. He expressed his heartfelt thanks to the organizers and the Hong Kong fans for their support.

Hossein said he is very sorry that O'Sullivan is not able to compete at the moment and wished him all the best. He said he was fortunate to have the opportunity to play and hoped to make the most of it and was looking forward to playing in Hong Kong in what would be a huge tournament and a big and exciting event for all the players.

The organizers have responded that they are very sorry that O'Sullivan will not be able to take part in the tournament, but that his health is a priority. The tournament has a strong line-up of players and is sure to provide fans with a great game of snooker.

Hong Kong is hosting the ranking event for the first time since 1989, and Judd Trump will be playing on home soil for the first time since becoming a Hong Kong resident. Other top players in the field include China's Ding Junhui, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen, John Higgins, Mark Williams and current world champion Kyren Wilson.

This year's tournament, with a total prize fund of £700,000 (approximately HK$7 million), is a new World Snooker Grand Prix, and the 5,000 spectators who will experience this premier pool event live at the new Kai Tak Sports Park will be the largest crowd of any world snooker tour event to date.

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