Funds, visas remain obstacles for cueists

Participation in Asian championship doubtful despite NOC.

KARACHI:

Pakistan’s chances of participating in the Asian Snooker Championship have far from improved even after the issuance of NOCs from the federal sports and interior ministries.

Pakistan cueists Mohammad Sajjad and Imran Shehzad’s representation in the event, to be held in India from April 23 to April 30, was dealt another blow as their visas have not been issued yet. To add to their woes, the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) has also complained of not receiving the required funds from the country’s sports ministry.

Earlier, PBSA President Alamgir Sheikh had informed that the cueists were yet to receive the NOCs in order to participate in the event. However, although the PBSA has now attained clearance from the local ministries, they are still awaiting visa issuance from the Indian consulate in Islamabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2011.