Snooker: Government’s attitude disappoints PBSA chief

Alamgir unable to discuss arrangements for Asian Championship.

KARACHI: Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) President Alamgir Sheikh was left disappointed after failing to meet the new Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) federal minister during his trip to Islamabad.

Sheikh travelled to the capital in order to have a meeting with Mir Hassan Domki concerning the upcoming Asian Snooker Championship, but the IPC official kept him waiting before being a no-show on two occasions.

“Domki’s attitude was disappointing even though he knew I had come to Islamabad to have a meeting about the Asian Championship,” a furious Sheikh told The Express Tribune. “I didn’t go there to ask for money. All I wanted was to discuss the security arrangements that are going to be made for the championship in Karachi. The IPC sports ministry has not released any funds for us and we’re not begging for the money either. We have generated more funds on our own than the grant we receive.”

The official further commented that he had already written to DG Rangers to provide security for the event which will be played from April 27. He vowed that a high-level of security would be provided to all the teams travelling to Karachi for the tournament.

‘Request for Majid’s inclusion rejected’

Meanwhile, Sheikh revealed that the request to have youngster Mohammad Majid’s name included in the mega event had been rejected by the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports.

The PBSA was trying to include Majid in the event after his excellent performance at the recently concluded Asian U21 Championship.

“We wanted him to experience playing against the top players of Asia but unfortunately our plea wasn’t accepted,” said Sheikh. “Initially, we wanted to go with eight players to the event, but now we have to field seven players with Abu Saim named as a stand-bye.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2013.