Asif hails appointment of coach Vahedi

Pakistan number three believes Iranian can help develop junior cueists

KARACHI: Former IBSF world champion Muhammad Asif has hailed the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association’s (PBSA) decision to bring in a foreign coach, stating that the entire nation could reap its rewards in the long run.

The PBSA had, earlier this month, announced that the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) approved the hiring of a foreign coach for a 15-day camp at the PSB Sports Complex in Islamabad. PBSA President Alamgir Sheikh, yesterday, confirmed that Iran’s Soheil Vahedi will conduct the camp, which starts in October and will focus on training juniors.

And Asif believes the move will prove to be highly beneficial.



“We need a coach, especially when we are playing internationally,” Asif told The Express Tribune. “It’s crucial because sometimes even the best of players can’t see the mistakes they are making during the match.”

Asif further added that while the selection of an Iranian coach will not be of that much help to the seniors, as Pakistan has been doing better than their Iranian counterparts in the international arena, it will help the juniors.



“The countries that have coaches for their players, they do better, because their players get the consultation right away. With Vahedi, I feel juniors can learn a lot.”

Meanwhile, Sheikh revealed that Vahedi, who is currently training junior players in Iran, is expected to make regular visits to Pakistan every few months and will be conducting training camps for junior players across the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2016.

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