Snooker event kicks off in Peshawar

Sajjad goes down to Afghanistan cueist in opening battle.

PESHAWAR: Afghanistan cueist Nadir Khan upset Muhammad Sajjad of Pakistan as the International Ranking Play for Peace Snooker Championship kicked off at the Peshawar Sports Complex.  

Nadir defeated Sajjdad 4-2, while in other matches Saleh Muhammad of Afghanistan outplayed Shafi Muhammad of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) 4-3 and Rambil of K-P defeated Sindh player Khuram Agha 4-2.

K-P Snooker Association General Secretary Zulfiqar Ali Butt said the purpose of the tournament was to promote peace in the region. “The K-P government has organised many tournaments and this is also a part of that message that Peshawar is safe to host games,” Butt told The Express Tribune. “We’re also offering jobs to encourage the youth.” The tournament is featuring 12 cueists with two players from Afghanistan. Shah said the government will provide jobs to four K-P players to promote the sport among the youth.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2012.