World snooker champion welcomed in hometown

DCO gives him Rs100,000 cheque, says road will be named after him.

FAISALABAD:

The newly crowned World Snooker Champion Muhammad Asif was warmly welcomed by his family, sports organisations and hundreds of members of the public when he arrived at the Faisalabad Airport here on Wednesday.

Muhammad Asif was garlanded and hugged by the crowd as he came out.

People congratulated him on winning glory for the country and shouted slogans in his praise. They were also carrying banners with congratulatory messages on them.

Asif was then taken from the airport to Zila Council Chowk, amid a big procession, where acting DCO Waheed Akhtar Ansari received him.

The DCO congratulated Asif “on his remarkable success” and gave him a cheque of Rs100,000 on behalf of the City District Government Faisalabad.

The DCO also gave him an honourary membership of the Chenab Club. Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has already announced a cash award of Rs1 million for him.

Ansari, on the occasion, also announced the establishment of a Snooker training academy in the city, saying that the road on which Asif’s residence was located in Kausarabad would be named after Asif.

The DCO, addressing the gathering, said that Asif’s success would inspire youngsters in the field of sports. “The entire nation is proud of your victory,” he told Asif, adding that there will be a “mega reception” hosted for him very soon.

A jubilant Asif, in his speech, thanked God and said he had won the World Championship as a result of the nation’s prayers.

Divisional Sports Officer Mian Zubair Anwar and District Sports Officer Tariq Nazeer were also present.

The world champion was then taken to the Clock Tower Chowk, where people lifted him on their shoulders and showered him with rose petals.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2012.