Snooker: Visas woes for snooker players


Strong protest was lodged over denial of visas to 500 pilgrims from Pakistan, says statement. PHOTO: FILE
The Pakistan snooker team is once again facing issues over obtaining visas ahead of the 15th Asian U21 Snooker Championship in Mohali, India.
Pakistan were not given visas previously as well, and the tournament had to be postponed after complaints from the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA).
Muhammad Majid Ali, Muhammad Haris Nadeem, Hamza Akbar and Amir Tariq will be participating in the continental championship.
“The visa applications, along with the necessary clearance letters of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs, received from the Billiards & Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) for the Pakistan snooker team, have been submitted to the High Commission of India in Islamabad on May 20, 2014 for issuance of the necessary visas which are awaited to date,” read an official PBSA press release.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2014.