Vice President of International Billiards and Snooker Federation (ISBSF) Maxim Cassis from France, complimented the nation by saying that Pakistan is land of World Snooker Champions.
“Pakistan is country of snooker having two IBSF World Champions in legendary Muhammad Yousuf and Muhammad Asif and many more will be coming up in years,” he said at a joint launching news conference of Jubilee Insurance 6-Red and World Team Snooker Championship here at a local hotel on Tuesday.
The championship will be played here from August 6 to 14 under the auspices of PBSA.
President Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) Alamgir Shaikh, sponsors representatives Tahir Ahmed, Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui and Tournament Director Joseph Low an other officials were also present on the occasion.
“Pakistan is building and preparing world champions and we may see in quarterfinal, semis and final,” Cassis, said.
IBSF Vice President lauded the role of sponsors and media and added they are important ingredients in the progressive of any sport.
Sponsors and city officials also expressed the confidence that national cueists will bring honor and glory to Pakistan as nation celebrate 68th Independence Day on the day of the final on August 14.
“International Body allowed us 26 cueists in all three events of this competition. We hope they emerge victorious on August 14,” PBSA President Alamgir Shaikh said.
He said he was shocked with the non-participation of Thailand, which had featured in all the international events in Pakistan since decades.
6-Red World Champion Siripaporn Nuanthakhamjan of Thailand thus will not be defending her title in the championship.
He, however said, Indian team which got the visa today will be coming in different batches to Pakistan.
“We are expecting 20-22 cueists from India for different events. We are not sure about their women’s participation,” he added.
Alamgir said they are waiting for the travel plans of India team with former IBSF World Champion Pankaj Advani defending his 6-Red title.
Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui, a diehard supporter of sports, said it was proud moment for Pakistan and Karachi that they are staging the event of global magnitude.
“Its proud moment for all of us as players from various parts of the world gather here,” he said.
He said they all will be carrying profound memories and different impression about Pakistan.
“Successful staging of the event will build confidence of the players that Pakistan is safe for sports,” Shoaib Siddiqui said.
He said best security will be extended to the players and citizen of Karachi will hold a reception in their honor.
Representatives of sponsor Jubilee Insurance Tahir Ahmed and Javed Ahmed expressed the hope that national players can double the celebration of Independence by winning the championship.
“Its great honor for us to sponsor world snooker and we hope that our cueists will present us with Independence Day gift on August 14,” Tahir Ahmed remarked.
Overall 18-nation including Pakistan are participating in the global event in Men and women, Masters and team championship.
Teams to take part in the event included Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, China, England, Egypt, India, Iran, Hong Kong, Latvia, Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Turkey and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In the meantime Organizing Committee working committee to prepare the draws and schedule of all the four events.
The work at Darbar Hall of Movenpick Hotel was in full swing to install 16 tables. Teams are start to land at Quaid-e-Azam International Airport from early Wednesday morning and Thursday.
