KARACHI, March 1: The revival of NJI National juniors U-21 snooker championship after almost a decade at the Karachi Club from Monday heralds a new beginning which will see 24 young cueists from across the country making their debut.

The juniors’ event, which gave Pakistan a number of talented players in the past, came to a sudden halt in 1996 due to lack of sponsors.

The details of the competition, which runs from March 3 to 8, were announced at a press conference held at the Karachi Club on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) president, Asghar Valika, eulogised the sponsors for sharing PBSA’s burden by investing money on youth who are, indeed, the future of the country.

Tahir Ahmed, who heads the insurance firm, spelt out his committment for the uplift of the game in the country. “It is part of our plan to support the baize game after we sponsored the Asian spectacle here last year,” he said.

His firm has inked a deal to provide financial support of Rs0.3 million which included prize money of Rs90,000.

According to the break-up, the winner will earn Rs30,000 while runner up will fetch Rs20,000. The losing semi-finalists and quarter-finalists receives Rs20,000 and Rs18,000 apiece. Rs2,000 has been set aside for highest break performer.

Sindh will be represented by 10 players, Punjab by seven, Balochistan four and NWFP three.

All eyes are set to be focused on promising Azeem Yousuf, son of former world champion, Mohammad Yousuf, who is looking forward to make a name by following in the footsteps of his father.

Azeem opens his campaign when he meets Punjab’s Noman Qamar in the third session on the opening day.

The participants have been equally drawn into four groups. Top two from each will make it to the last eight at the end of league matches which will be played on best of five frames. The quarter-finals and semi-finals will be of best of seven while the final will be of best of nine.

Monday’s fixtures:

Umair Alam Khan v Ahsan Raza, Mohammad Afzal v Salman Ahmed Siddiqui, Asim Khan v Mohammad Imran, Abdul Ghafoor v Mohammad Noman Qamar at 10.00am; Mohammad Shehzad v Ayaz Khan, Agha Bilawal Raza v Hamid Younus, Ahad Ali Khan v Mohammad Haseeb, Tahir Abbas v Haroon Anwer at 12.00noon; Ahsan Javed v Ahsan Raza, Ramiz Aftab v Salman Ahmed Siddiqui, Mohsin Abbas v Mohammad Imran, Azeem Yousuf v Mohammad Noman Qamar at 2.00pm; Umair Alam Khan v Ayaz Khan, Mohammad Afzal v Hamid Younus, Asim Khan v Mohammad Haseeb, Abdul Ghafoor v Haroon Anwer at 4.00pm.