Snooker: Training for Asian U21 event under way
Camp commandant Yousuf sets sight on championship.
The squad will take part in the 15th Asian U21 Championship, which will be played from April 4-10 in Chandigarh, India. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Former amateur world champion Mohammad Yousuf, the current camp commandant of the Pakistan U21 team, has set his sights on producing a champion for the country.
Yousuf said that being a champion for Pakistan was a proud feeling, but producing one would be an honour as well. The squad will take part in the 15th Asian U21 Championship, which will be played from April 4-10 in Chandigarh, India.
The training for the upcoming mega event is currently under way in Islamabad, where all four cueists - Mohammad Majid Ali, Hamza Akbar, Haris Nadeem and Amir Tariq are practising at the Pakistan Sports Complex.
“My aim was to produce a champion for Pakistan since I took the job of being coach,” Yousuf told The Express Tribune.
“We’ve got really good players at our disposal who can win titles if guided properly. Last time, Majid was the runner-up, but this time, hopefully, one of our four players will become the champion.”
Yousuf implements a training routine
The training consists of two sessions, with the four players facing-off against each other in daily matches to mentally prepare themselves, as directed by Yousuf.
According to him, all four of them have been doing really well which is a great sign. However, he felt that the snooker table on which they are practising is not up to standard which is why players have not been able to hit big breaks.
The camp has been competitive: Majid
Majid stated the he was happy with the standard set by Yousuf in the camp because the players are practising in a competitive environment.
“The camp has been really competitive so far because of getting to play matches on a daily basis,” said Majid.
“Training is different, but to play competitive matches helps us realise what we are doing right and where we can improve. Your game is highlighted more in a competitive environment rather than just going through normal practise.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2014.
Former amateur world champion Mohammad Yousuf, the current camp commandant of the Pakistan U21 team, has set his sights on producing a champion for the country.
Yousuf said that being a champion for Pakistan was a proud feeling, but producing one would be an honour as well. The squad will take part in the 15th Asian U21 Championship, which will be played from April 4-10 in Chandigarh, India.
The training for the upcoming mega event is currently under way in Islamabad, where all four cueists - Mohammad Majid Ali, Hamza Akbar, Haris Nadeem and Amir Tariq are practising at the Pakistan Sports Complex.
“My aim was to produce a champion for Pakistan since I took the job of being coach,” Yousuf told The Express Tribune.
“We’ve got really good players at our disposal who can win titles if guided properly. Last time, Majid was the runner-up, but this time, hopefully, one of our four players will become the champion.”
Yousuf implements a training routine
The training consists of two sessions, with the four players facing-off against each other in daily matches to mentally prepare themselves, as directed by Yousuf.
According to him, all four of them have been doing really well which is a great sign. However, he felt that the snooker table on which they are practising is not up to standard which is why players have not been able to hit big breaks.
The camp has been competitive: Majid
Majid stated the he was happy with the standard set by Yousuf in the camp because the players are practising in a competitive environment.
“The camp has been really competitive so far because of getting to play matches on a daily basis,” said Majid.
“Training is different, but to play competitive matches helps us realise what we are doing right and where we can improve. Your game is highlighted more in a competitive environment rather than just going through normal practise.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2014.