Elusive IBSF trophy finally reaches Asif after 10 months
World champion vows to defend title in November.
According to Asif, his impressive achievement at the world championship was incomplete in essence without the trophy. PHOTO: FILE EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Pakistan cueist Mohammad Asif’s patience was finally rewarded as he was given the winner’s trophy 10 months after winning the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Championship.
The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) had been writing to the IBSF about the trophy issue since the past many days and received it only recently before handing the prized award to its rightful owner.
“It really feels great to get my hands on the world championship trophy as my objective was the title, not money,” Asif told The Express Tribune.
“When I was playing the world championship last year, the only thing was on my mind was to become the champion. Although I won the title 10 months ago, my dream’s actual realisation culminates today with this tangible proof. Now I’ll take the trophy back home for a few weeks where I can look at it with pride before the next championship.”
‘I intend to keep it for long’
Currently playing in the Jubilee Insurance 3rd Ranking Snooker Championship, Asif won his match 4-3 against Muhammad Ishtiaq with scores of 38-60, 40-69, 87-0(87), 66-30, 85-0, 65-66 and 55-24 at the Sheraton Hotel in Karachi.
Asif, who hails from Faisalabad, said he plans to keep the trophy for a longer period by winning the upcoming IBSF World Championship again, which will be played in Latvia in November.
“My aim is clear; to successfully defend my title before I turn pro. That will give me time to keep this trophy for several months more because it’s not often that you are able to get such prestigious trophies in your career.”
Asjad suffers shock defeat on opening day
Defending champion Asjad Iqbal suffered a shock opening day defeat in the Jubilee Insurance 3rd Ranking Snooker Championship at the hands of Mohammad Bilal, who won 4-3.
Bilal won the seven-setter with scores of 08-127(98), 74-22, 81-19, 50-59, 72-11, 46-62 and 80-05.
Meanwhile, top seed Imran Shehzad won 4-2 against Ayaz Khan whereas Shahid Aftab won with a similar scoreline against Mohsin Amin.
Young gun Humza Akbar started off his campaign in style, winning 4-0 against Amir Rasheed 62-54, 67-08, 66-11 and 59-07.
Abu Saim made an impressive comeback from being 3-2 down to win 4-3 against Mohammad Javed while Amir Tariq beat Abdul Sattar 4-2.
Mohammad Sajjad triumphed 4-1 against Umair Alam while Khurram Agha beat Mohammad Yousuf 4-2 with scores of 120(118)-0, 102-0, 64-78, 01-67, 67-46 and 62-23.
Sharjeel Mehmood won 4-2 against Naveen Perwani with scoreline of 64-59, 41-81, 59-28, 51-64, 62-32 and 64-09 while Farhan Noor stunned Sultan Muhammad with a 4-0 victory.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2013.
Pakistan cueist Mohammad Asif’s patience was finally rewarded as he was given the winner’s trophy 10 months after winning the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Championship.
The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) had been writing to the IBSF about the trophy issue since the past many days and received it only recently before handing the prized award to its rightful owner.
“It really feels great to get my hands on the world championship trophy as my objective was the title, not money,” Asif told The Express Tribune.
“When I was playing the world championship last year, the only thing was on my mind was to become the champion. Although I won the title 10 months ago, my dream’s actual realisation culminates today with this tangible proof. Now I’ll take the trophy back home for a few weeks where I can look at it with pride before the next championship.”
‘I intend to keep it for long’
Currently playing in the Jubilee Insurance 3rd Ranking Snooker Championship, Asif won his match 4-3 against Muhammad Ishtiaq with scores of 38-60, 40-69, 87-0(87), 66-30, 85-0, 65-66 and 55-24 at the Sheraton Hotel in Karachi.
Asif, who hails from Faisalabad, said he plans to keep the trophy for a longer period by winning the upcoming IBSF World Championship again, which will be played in Latvia in November.
“My aim is clear; to successfully defend my title before I turn pro. That will give me time to keep this trophy for several months more because it’s not often that you are able to get such prestigious trophies in your career.”
Asjad suffers shock defeat on opening day
Defending champion Asjad Iqbal suffered a shock opening day defeat in the Jubilee Insurance 3rd Ranking Snooker Championship at the hands of Mohammad Bilal, who won 4-3.
Bilal won the seven-setter with scores of 08-127(98), 74-22, 81-19, 50-59, 72-11, 46-62 and 80-05.
Meanwhile, top seed Imran Shehzad won 4-2 against Ayaz Khan whereas Shahid Aftab won with a similar scoreline against Mohsin Amin.
Young gun Humza Akbar started off his campaign in style, winning 4-0 against Amir Rasheed 62-54, 67-08, 66-11 and 59-07.
Abu Saim made an impressive comeback from being 3-2 down to win 4-3 against Mohammad Javed while Amir Tariq beat Abdul Sattar 4-2.
Mohammad Sajjad triumphed 4-1 against Umair Alam while Khurram Agha beat Mohammad Yousuf 4-2 with scores of 120(118)-0, 102-0, 64-78, 01-67, 67-46 and 62-23.
Sharjeel Mehmood won 4-2 against Naveen Perwani with scoreline of 64-59, 41-81, 59-28, 51-64, 62-32 and 64-09 while Farhan Noor stunned Sultan Muhammad with a 4-0 victory.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2013.