Snooker: Indo-Pak series delayed amid security concerns

PBSF president hopeful of organising series later this year.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) President Alamgir Sheikh expressed disappointment at the postponement of the KMC Indo-Pak Snooker Series but remained hopeful that it would be played later this year.

The event was to be played from March 7-10 after a gap of eight years. The four-member Indian team was all set to arrive here after the interior ministry issued the Non-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the series. However, the recent twin blasts in Karachi forced the Indians to put the tour off for an indefinite period.

“It’s really disappointing that the series had to be postponed,” Sheikh told The Express Tribune. “But we can understand their concerns while we are also grieved by the loss of precious lives. However, I’m sure this series can be played this year after June.”

The PBSF official said it is not ideal for sports in Pakistan that international players and teams are pulling out but remained adamant that he would continue his efforts in bringing international sport to Pakistan.

He added his federation can play an important role in reviving sports in the country that has already been deprived of international action for years.



“The damage has already been done to Pakistan sports. Now we all must try to repair it as quickly as possible. The PBSF will do everything it can to build the trust of the international fraternity. We enjoy good relations internationally, so it’s only a matter of the situation getting better and we will be able to arrange international events here soon,” he vowed.

Meanwhile, the press release  by the PBSF read that the PBSF was informed by the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India that their players will not be able to participate in the event as the Indian Travel Advisory Board has restricted the Indian team from travelling to Pakistan, due to security concerns.

Therefore the PBSF and the KMC CSR department decided to postpone the series for the time being due to the current situation in the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2013.