India withdraw from Asian Snooker Championship
Neighbouring country’s govt fails to give clearance to travel to Pakistan.
While players from 15 other countries confirmed their participation, India’s withdrawal has disappointed the country’s snooker association. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Sports continued to fall victim to strained relations between the two neighbouring countries as India pulled out of the Asian Snooker Championship to be held in Islamabad, after its team failed to get clearance to travel to Pakistan.
While players from 15 other countries confirmed their participation, India’s withdrawal – the latest in a series of pullouts from events in Pakistan – has disappointed the country’s snooker association.
The development came mere hours after the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) held a press conference and told reporters that the Indian federation was trying its best to get the go-ahead from its government. It needs to be mentioned that PBSA President Alamgir Sheikh made special trips to Islamabad in order to get clearance for India and Afghanistan for the mega event.
However, while the Pakistan government cleared the two teams, India’s withdrawal left a sour taste. The news follows their withdrawal from a handball event and refusing to visit Pakistan for a bilateral snooker series in the country as well.
“India has pulled out of the Asian championship as they couldn’t get clearance,” a PBSA official told The Express Tribune. “Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) president was in New Delhi to get clearance from the home ministry and we were hopeful that they would be able to get that and the visas by tomorrow. But it didn’t happen and we’re gutted at the development.”
When asked whether Pakistan can include more players in their squad after India’s withdrawal, the official said that entries now stand closed, effectively ruling out the addition of players in the team.
Hong Kong arrived early yesterday, while Mongolia and Thailand were expected to arrive in the evening followed by other teams.
Pakistan are fielding eight players in the event that also includes current IBSF world champion Mohammad Asif, who suffered a group-stage exit at the recently-held national championship because of an eyesight problem.
However, the PBSA officials are hopeful that Asif would bounce back after receiving proper treatment.
“There is no concern regarding Asif since his vision problem has now finished and he’s playing well in the training camp. It is a big boost for us as he is an important player for us and I’m hopeful that one of our players will lift this crown,” an official said.
Asif is looking to equal Mohmmad Yousuf’s feat of bagging the IBSF world championship crown as well as clinching the Asian Championship and the cueist was confident of achieving the milestone.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2013.
Sports continued to fall victim to strained relations between the two neighbouring countries as India pulled out of the Asian Snooker Championship to be held in Islamabad, after its team failed to get clearance to travel to Pakistan.
While players from 15 other countries confirmed their participation, India’s withdrawal – the latest in a series of pullouts from events in Pakistan – has disappointed the country’s snooker association.
The development came mere hours after the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) held a press conference and told reporters that the Indian federation was trying its best to get the go-ahead from its government. It needs to be mentioned that PBSA President Alamgir Sheikh made special trips to Islamabad in order to get clearance for India and Afghanistan for the mega event.
However, while the Pakistan government cleared the two teams, India’s withdrawal left a sour taste. The news follows their withdrawal from a handball event and refusing to visit Pakistan for a bilateral snooker series in the country as well.
“India has pulled out of the Asian championship as they couldn’t get clearance,” a PBSA official told The Express Tribune. “Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) president was in New Delhi to get clearance from the home ministry and we were hopeful that they would be able to get that and the visas by tomorrow. But it didn’t happen and we’re gutted at the development.”
When asked whether Pakistan can include more players in their squad after India’s withdrawal, the official said that entries now stand closed, effectively ruling out the addition of players in the team.
Hong Kong arrived early yesterday, while Mongolia and Thailand were expected to arrive in the evening followed by other teams.
Pakistan are fielding eight players in the event that also includes current IBSF world champion Mohammad Asif, who suffered a group-stage exit at the recently-held national championship because of an eyesight problem.
However, the PBSA officials are hopeful that Asif would bounce back after receiving proper treatment.
“There is no concern regarding Asif since his vision problem has now finished and he’s playing well in the training camp. It is a big boost for us as he is an important player for us and I’m hopeful that one of our players will lift this crown,” an official said.
Asif is looking to equal Mohmmad Yousuf’s feat of bagging the IBSF world championship crown as well as clinching the Asian Championship and the cueist was confident of achieving the milestone.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2013.