Yapp pays it forward, looks forward to US$250k payday

When Aloysius Yapp was eight years old, he encountered his first mentor in pool. He and his mother had walked into The QShop at Bras Basah, where the owner, Paul Pang, took an interest in the young boy and offered to teach him basic and intermediate pool skills.

- David Lee

Former Cuesports Singapore vice-president Pang went on to become his mentor, taking 12-year-old Yapp to the United States for the World Junior Championships, and got him a junior sports membership at Chinese Swimming Club, where he could practise without the age restrictions at most other pool halls.

Now 29, and at a career-high world No. 2 on the World Nineball Tour (WNT) ranking with US$196,478 (S$250,600) in earnings over the past two years, the former World Pool Association No. 1 knows the importance of giving back.

This is why he has donated $5,000 to the Cuesports Singapore academy, which is set to open in Tanjong Katong in the fourth quarter of 2025, after its Katong Shopping Centre outlet closed in November 2024. The donation amount will be matched by the national sports association.

Yapp told The Sunday Times: "It's rare to have someone look after, support and coach you like what Paul did to give me a good start. I feel really lucky and grateful, and I think this is a good way to give back for all the support I have received from him and the association for many years.

"This will help out the academy where I will also be practising in the future, and I hope they can bring in more youth into the sport. If possible, I hope to make this a long-term contribution."