Cueists train ahead of Doha events

Pakistan players start preparations for Asian Team, 6-Red events.

KARACHI:

Deprived of training facilities in Doha due to visa issues, Pakistan cueists started preparations for the upcoming Asian Team Event and the 6-Red Snooker Championship at the Karachi Gymkhana yesterday.

The three-day training camp is meant to serve as preparation for the players’ campaign in Doha where the country will be represented by IBSF world champion Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sajjad, Humza Akbar and Mohammad Majid Ali. The first tournament starts on May 24.

Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association President Alamgir Sheikh said the players will practise for three days on ‘top quality’ tables.

“The players have started training and I’m hopeful it will serve them well,” Sheikh told The Express Tribune. “We planned on sending the team to Doha but that couldn’t be done due to delay in visas. These players now have to make the most out of this short camp.”

Disappointed after none of the country’s players were able to make it to the last-four at the Asian Championship held in Karachi, Sheikh said the squad was balanced and hoped for a better show.

Apart from Asif and Sajjad, the squad features Majid, while Hamza was crowned the youngest national champion.

“I’m pleased with the balance of the squad. I’ll be going there myself as we’re planning on bidding for the hosting rights for next year’s 6-red event and I hope we get it.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2013.