KARACHI, Aug 26: Renowned cricket organizer Nadeem Omar who is also the owner of leading domestic outfit Omar Associates on Monday surprised everyone here by presenting a cheque of Rs2 million to reigning world amateur snooker champion Mohammad Asif at a ceremony held at Karachi Gymkhana.

“Asif has done the nation proud and for that he deserves accolades, Nadeem said at a well-attended presentation.

Terming it as a national cause, he asked others to follow suit by rewarding and honouring the national hero.

Asif, who arrived at the venue soon after making it to the final of the fifth NBP ranking snooker championship, thanked Nadeem Omar for his generous support and said he will utilise the money by playing in the professional circuit.

“It is my desire to join the professional circuit and win more laurels to the nation,” the 31-year-old cueist, who is serving in the NBP, said.

At least an amount of Rs 2.5 million is required to play the pro circuit in England spanning around eight to nine months which, among other things, comprised accommodation, meals, traveling and fee for playing the circuit.

As this year’s circuit has already commenced, Asif said he may join it next year.

The two-time former national champion eulogised the efforts of Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) President Alamgir Shaikh and his team for the commendable work for uplift of game besides pleading his case for Rs10 million reward from the government, President’s Pride of Performance award and Rs 1 million reward apiece pledged by the chief ministers of Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after his magnificent Dec 2 feat last year.

Speaking on the occasion, the PBSF chief also thanked Nadeem for his tremendous gesture in awarding the bumper amount to Asif, the highest he has received so far.

Also present on the occasion were PBSF officials Wahid Qadir, Munawwar Hussain Shaikh, Abbas S. Valika, Arif Tahirbhoy and Naveed Kapadia.