India to take part in Karachi snooker event

Merchant, Faisal first foreign players to confirm.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) received a huge breakthrough in its bid to host the Six-Nation International Snooker Championship in Karachi after India confirmed its participation for the event scheduled to start on March 4.

The PBSA announced that India will be sending a two-member team comprising veteran cueists Yasin Merchant and Mohammad Faisal.

“It’s a positive development,” said a PBSA official. “Both Indian cueists are experienced and their participation will be a big boost for the event.”

The official added said the PBSA was awaiting clearance from the interior ministry for issuance of visas to the cueists.

“If the visas are issued on time, the Indian team will arrive on March 1. We have requested the interior minister to intervene so that the event’s schedule remains unaffected.”

India is the first country to confirm its participation for the event, with China, Singapore, Thailand and Bahrain yet to respond to the PBSA’s invitation.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22^nd, 2012.