Hamza expected to receive financial boost

Pakistan cueist currently struggling in professional circuit in UK

KARACHI: Pakistani cueist Hamza Akbar may receive a welcome financial boost soon as he continues to struggle in the UK due to insufficient funds at his disposal while he is expected to complete a two-year period in snooker’s professional circuit.

The possibility transpired after a meeting between Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) President Alamgir Shaikh and Sports Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada in Islamabad.



Sheikh briefed the minister regarding the pending release of the cash award which was announced in June for Hamza for winning the 2015 Asian Championship, the first Pakistan cueist to do so after a gap of 17 years.



By virtue of being the Asian champion, Hamza also became the first Pakistani to qualify for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association’s professional circuit in the UK.

Since Hamza is currently playing in the UK and is facing financial constraints to meet his living expenses, the PBSA chief requested the minister to expedite the release of Rs2 million as announced.



“The minister issued immediate instructions to the Inter-Provincial Coordination secretary to release a sum of Rs1.5 million to Rs2 million for Hamza,” read an official PBSA press release. “Pirzada appreciated and lauded the efforts of the PBSA and also the achievements of the cueists who have been performing well in international competitions.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2016.

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